DGCA sends show-cause notice to AirAsia India after suspended pilot's complaint

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to Manish Uppal, Head Operations of AirAsia India. This follows two weeks after the aviation regulator announced that it had launched a probe against AirAsia India following a pilot's complaints about safety breaches by the airline.

New Delhi: Two weeks after the aviation regulator announced that it had launched a probe against AirAsia India following a pilot's complaints about safety breaches by the airline, officials on Sunday said Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued notice to a top executive of the airline.

According to a DGCA official, the show-cause notice has been issued to Manish Uppal, Head Operations, AirAsia India.

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.

An AirAsia India official confirmed the receipt of the notice and said "We are assisting the regulator in its fact-finding process. We will fully cooperate with the regulator."

"DGCA has already started an investigation into the issues flagged and shall take appropriate action based on the outcome of the said investigation, " the aviation regulator stated.

AirAsia India, a joint venture of the global flyer AirAsia Berhad and India's Tata Sons, had drawn flak since mid-June. AirAsia India suspended pilot Gaurav Taneja who had earlier alleged that the airline has asked its pilots to do 98% of landings in "Flap 3" mode, which allows it to save fuel.

He said 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).