Air India Pilot's Licence Suspended For Allowing Flyer Into Cockpit, Third Such Incident This Year

Based on DGCA’s probe, the licence of the Pilot in Command was suspended for a year and the First Officer’s licence was suspended for a month.

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday suspended the licence of the Pilot in Command of an Air India flight operating on June 3 for allowing an unauthorized person in the cockpit, news agency ANI reported. The First officer reportedly did not raise any concern about the incident and based on DGCA’s probe, the licence of the Pilot in Command was suspended for a year and the First Officer’s licence was suspended for a month.

“On June 3, the Pilot in Command (PIC) of Air India flight AI-458 (Chandigarh – Leh) allowed an unauthorised person into the cockpit during departure. The First officer did not raise any concern about the unauthorised entry. Based on DGCA's investigation the following actions have been taken; (1) the pilot license of the PIC has been suspended for a period of one year & (2) The pilot License of the First Officer has been suspended for a period of one month for not being assertive in preventing and non-reporting of the violation,” DGCA said in a statement.

This is the third such incident over the last few months. Earlier this month, Air India grounded two of its pilots for allowing an unauthorised woman into the cockpit. In a similar incident in May, DGCA suspended the licence of the pilot of an Air India Dubai-Delhi flight for letting a friend inside the cockpit. It also slapped Rs 30 lakh fine on Air India for lapses in addressing "safety sensitive issue".

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."

Earlier in April, DGCA directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of the Dubai-Delhi flight till investigations were complete. 

In March, SpiceJet grounded two of its pilots on the grounds of consuming gujiya and beverages inside the cockpit.

A spokesperson for the SpiceJet airline said that the company has in place strict guidelines regarding the consumption of food inside the cockpit which is adhered to by all flight crew. He further said disciplinary action would be taken on completion of the probe.