New Delhi: An Air India pilot, who invited a woman friend into the cockpit mid-air, has been suspended by the aviation regulator for three months.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also fined the airlines Rs 30 lakh for not “promptly and effectively” addressing the safety-sensitive issue.
It said a crew member of the flight had complained to the chief executive officer of Air India about the incident, but it did not take “prompt corrective action”. The complainant then approached the DGCA.
The DGCA said the pilot’s gesture during the Delhi-Dubai flight on 27 February was in violation of regulations and a “misuse of his authority”.
The regulator has also warned the co-pilot for not being assertive enough in preventing the violation.
The DGCA revealed that the pilot’s “lady friend” was an Air India staff member on duty but travelling as a passenger. It directed Air India to take administrative action against her, including removing her from any managerial functions in the organisation for a specified period.