DGCA suspends top AirAsia officials over safety violations

Aviation regulator DGCA has suspended two senior executives of AirAsia India for a period of three months over “safety violations”. In June this year, one of the AirAsia India’s former pilots who runs a YouTube channel had alleged violations of safety norms by the low-cost airline.

New Delhi:Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two AirAsia India's top officials, Capt Manish Uppal and Capt Mukesh Neema for a period of three months for safety violations, said government officials on Tuesday.

The DGCA said that Capt Manish Uppal, head of operations and Capt Mukesh Neema, head of air safety were issued a show-cause notice on June 28 and now it has been decided to suspend them for a period of three months.

AirAsia India spokesperson was not available for the comment. On June 15, DGCA stated that it had taken note of the concerns raised by some stakeholders against a particular airline and its approach to safety. AirAsia India, a joint venture of the global flyer AirAsia Berhad and India's Tata Sons, had drawn flak since mid-June.

Gaurav Taneja, who worked with AirAsia India as a Captain, had flagged safety concerns with the DGCA. The suspended pilot had alleged that the airline has asked its pilots to do 98% of landings in "Flap 3" mode, which allows it to save fuel.

Taneja had said that if a pilot does not do 98% of landings in "Flap 3" mode, the airline considers it a violation of its standard operating procedure (SOP). Flaps are part of wings of an aircraft and they are engaged to create a drag during a landing or a take-off.

In a tweet to the Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Taneja had said that safety lapses are a serious concern at Air Asia."If something happens during a Flap 3 landing, then the question would be asked to the pilot if he or she cares more about saving fuel or the life of passengers," Taneja said.

Inputs from agencies