New Delhi: The civil aviation watchdog the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday imposed a fine of ₹30 lakh on Air India for violating regulations. This development happens weeks after an Air India pilot allowed a female friend's entry into the cockpit during during a Dubai-Delhi flight on 27 February, 2023 creating national headlines.
Earlier, DGCA had issued a show cause notice to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson for the airline's lapses in reporting the incident. In a statement issued on Friday, the aviation watchdog said, "Air India has been fined Rs. Thirty lakhs for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue." And added that "the pilot License of the PIC has been suspended for a period of three months for misuse of his authority vested under the Aircraft Rules 1937 and allowing violation of the applicable DGCA regulations." Meanwhile the co-pilot has been warned for “not being assertive in preventing the violation".
Air India has been directed to take administrative action against the SOD/Passenger including removing from any Managerial functions in the organization for a specified period.
