Air Asia Fires Pilot Gaurav Taneja After His Video About Violation Of Safety Norms By Airline

Air Asia fired pilot and social media influencer, Gaurav Taneja after he released a video on Youtube regarding violation of safety norms by the airline.

Source: Instagram

New Delhi: The popular low-cost airline Air Asia has fired Gaurav Taneja, an AirAsia pilot, Vlogger, and digital influencer who was suspended recently for making allegations about safety regulations of the airline public. Taneja who runs a popular Youtube Channel Flying Beast also informed about the termination via a tweet in which he wrote that the issues raised by him have been taken into consideration by the DGCA and that ‘justice will prevail’.

I was terminated from airasia for raising safety issues! Now, the same issues are raised by #DGCA to @AirAsiaIndian. Justice will prevail! #Sabkeliye

— Gaurav Taneja (@flyingbeast320) June 28, 2020

However, a report by Moneycontrol has said that Taneja's termination was based on several factors which included not 'appearing for an investigation started by the airline, going public on social media without following the due company process of redressal,  breach of non-disclosure agreement and photography in the cockpit in breach of company and DGCA norms'. The report also said that the company has been investigating the pilot for a year and there were allegations that the Tanja had taken sick leave and attended social events. After Taneja's video PTI reported that Directorate General of Civil Aviation( DGCA) sent a show-cause notice to a top executive of AirAsia India. "AirAsia India confirms receipt of the notice and we are assisting the regulator in its fact-finding process. We will fully cooperate with the regulator,” an AirAsia India spokesperson said in the report. A day after releasing the video on June 15, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation( DGCA) wrote on its Twitter page that ‘DGCA has taken note of the concerns raised by some stakeholders against a particular Airline and its approach to safety. DGCA has already started an investigation into the issues flagged and shall take appropriate action based on the outcome of the said investigation.” The report also says that Senior DGCA officials had confirmed on June 15 that AirAsia India was under investigation after Taneja's allegations. Earlier this month the pilot and Youtuber had made a video in which he alleged that the airliner was violating safety norms such as asking pilots to fly in ‘Flap 3’ mode which helps in saving fuel. He said in the video that this is dangerous for both the passenger and the pilot yet if ‘If a pilot does not do 98 percent of landings in the "Flap 3" mode, the airline considers it a violation of its standard operating procedure.’ He also talked about irregularities in leave policies and making pilots work even on their off days. He said that AirAsia India does not allow the employees to take sick leaves. On 9 June when he applied for a sick leave it was denied and told that he ‘reports sick and fatigue frequently’. Taneja further said that he was also suggested to undergo lifestyle and medical counselling. “Sick or fatigue report is a non-punitive policy, which is documented by the regulator. This is not followed at the airline,” said Taneja in the video.