DGCA slaps Rs 30 Lakh fine on Air India, suspends pilot for allowing friend into cockpit

Mangalore Today News Network / News18

New Delhi, May 12, 2023: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakhs on Air India for a safety violation incident that occurred during the operation of Air India Flight AI-915 (Delhi-Dubai) on February 27. The DGCA also suspended the pilot in command for three months.

 

The incident involved the Pilot in command of the flight allowing a female friend, who was an Air India staff member traveling as a passenger, to enter the cockpit during the cruise phase, which is a violation of DGCA regulations. The DGCA has criticised Air India for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety-sensitive issue.

Air India’s CEO Campbell Wilson and Chief of Flight Safety Henry Donohoe were issued a show cause notice by India’s aviation regulatory body DGCA last month for their alleged failure to promptly report the cockpit violation incident that occurred on the Dubai-Delhi flight.