DGCA Fines Air India Rs 30 Lakh for Dubai-Delhi Cockpit Incident

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator, issued a fine of Rs 30 lakh due to shortcomings in addressing a “safety-sensitive issue” related to an incident on a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27. During the flight, a pilot allowed a female friend to enter the cockpit. Additionally, the regulatory authority has suspended the pilot’s license for three months.

Following its investigation, the DGCA has taken the following actions:

(1) The aviation authorities have suspended the pilot in command’s license for a period of three months. The authorities imposed the suspension on the pilot for misusing their authority as outlined in the Aircraft Rules of 1937 and for allowing a violation of the relevant DGCA regulations.

(2) The co-pilot has received a warning for their lack of assertiveness in preventing the violation.

(3) The authorities have directed Air India to take administrative measures against the staff member on duty/passenger, including removing them from any managerial responsibilities within the organization for a specific duration.

According to a senior official, the aviation watchdog DGCA has instructed Air India to remove the entire crew from duty until investigations are concluded. This action follows an incident that occurred two months ago on a Dubai-Delhi flight, where an Air India pilot allowed a female friend to enter the cockpit. A complaint was filed by a cabin crew member of the flight with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding this unauthorized entry. The incident took place on February 27.

Complaint against Air India’s Pilot

The complaint alleges that the pilot of Air India flight number AI-915 requested the crew to create a “welcoming, warm, and comfortable” atmosphere resembling a “living room” in the cockpit for his female companion.

According to the complaint, the pilot, in an enraged state, made sexist comments during the return flight. The complaint further states that the pilot should undergo psychiatric evaluation due to the potential risk he posed to passenger safety.

In the complaint statement, the air hostess shared, “The captain instructed me to bring some pillows from the bunk before Ms. XXX arrived in the cockpit, in order to make her feel comfortable. The pilot expressed the desire for the cockpit to exude a welcoming, warm, and comfortable ambiance as if he were preparing his own living room for a female friend. Additionally, he asked me to take her drink and snack orders and serve her.”

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