Licence Of Air India Pilot Who Invited Friend In Cockpit Suspended, Airline Fined Rs 30 Lakh

The DGCA also slapped Rs 30 lakh fine on Air India for lapses in addressing safety related issue.

Air India fined rs 30 lakh for allowing passenger in cockpit

Source : Getty

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday suspended the licence of Air India pilot who operated the Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27 for three months. It also slapped Rs 30 lakh fine on Air India for lapses in addressing "safety sensitive issue". The pilot during the operation of the flight had allowed the entry of a friend inside the cockpit.

In a statement released to the media the DGCA said, "During the operation of Air India Flight Al-915 (Delhi-Dubai) of 27.02.2023, the Pilot in command of the flight allowed the entry into Cockpit during cruise, of an Air India Staff on duty travelling as passenger, in violation of DGCA regulations. Air India has been fined Rs Thirty lakhs for not promptly & effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue."

Pilots invited a female friend in cockpit incident | During the operation of Air India Flight Al-915 (Delhi-Dubai) of 27.02.2023, the Pilot in command of the flight allowed the entry into Cockpit during cruise, of an Air India Staff on duty travelling as passenger, in violation… pic.twitter.com/JfBKFaNBpd

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2023

As per PTI, a cabin crew member of the flight had filed a complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit. 

Notably, earlier in April, DGCA directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of the Dubai-Delhi flight till investigations are complete. On April 21, the airline said it had taken serious note of the reported incident and that investigations were underway.

The airline, a few months back had made headlines after a urination incident on its New York-New Delhi flight. 

The DGCA had suspended the pilot's licence for three months and fined Air India Rs 30 lakh. It had also fined the airline's in-flight services director Rs 3 lakh, all in connection with the urination incident on November 26, 2022.