SpiceJet to probe into strip-search charge by air hostesses at Chennai airport

CHENNAI: After a video showing an angry bunch of SpiceJet air hostesses accusing the airline of strip-searching them at Chennai airport went viral, the airline said it has ordered investigation into the matter.
Stating that SpiceJet’s security team undertook searches at some of its stations on the night of March 28 and 29, the airline said one of the objectives of this search was to ensure there was no pilferage of company money or goods, smuggling or any illegal activity that an employee may be lured into.

“This also ensures security and safety of our passengers, our employees and our assets,” the airline said.
The investigation comes in the wake of the crew alleging in the video they were strip-searched after deboarding on the suspicion that they were swindling cash collected from the sale of food and other items onboard.

The airline said as per security and safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), random “pat down” search is conducted on various employees, including cabin crew, from time to time, which is a global industry practice.