The DGCA on Friday imposed a fine of ₹30 lakh on Air India and suspended a pilot-in-command for a period of three months after he entertained a lady friend in the cockpit and demanded that she be served alcohol and snacks.
“The CEO of Air India received a complaint from one of the operating crew members of the flight. However, the organisation did not take prompt corrective action despite this being a safety sensitive violation. Anticipating delayed response, the complainant approached the DGCA,” the regulator said in a press statement.
The licence of the pilot has been suspended for three months for misuse of his authority and violation of DGCA’s regulations. The co-pilot too has been warned for not being assertive in preventing the violation. The passenger, who was an airline staffer, will face administrative action, with the DGCA demanding that she be removed from any managerial functions in the organisation for a specified period of time.
