Air India grounds two pilots for inviting female friend into cockpit
1 min read 13 Jun 2023, 02:25 PM ISTAir India has taken action against two pilots for allowing a female friend to enter the cockpit on a Delhi-Leh flight. This is the second incident happened this year on an Air India flight. The DGCA said it is aware of the issue and will take action in accordance with procedures.
PremiumTata backed-Air India airline on Tuesday took action against two pilots for inviting a woman into the cockpit on a Delhi-Leh flight. This is the second time the airline has taken action against pilots for inviting a female friend inside the cockpit.
According to a report by ANI news agency, Air India management acted against the pilot and the co-pilot soon after receiving a complaint from the cabin crew regarding an unauthorised female passenger entering the cockpit of the AI-445 aircraft.
Airline regulatory body, the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it is aware of the issue and necessary action would be taken in the matter in accordance with the procedures.
Calling the Leh route as one of the most difficult and sensitive air routes in the country aviation expert Vipul Saxena said, "Landing at Leh airport is one of the toughest operations across the country due to the high altitude mountainous terrain and sensitive too due to the presence of the country's defence forces bases. Moreover, to operate in this terrain requires a very good health record due to insufficient oxygen levels and due to this only highly skilled pilots with good health records should be deployed for Leh operations".
A similar incident took place in February this year.
Aviation regulator DGCA suspended the license of an Air India pilot who welcomed his female friend into the cockpit of Air India flight AI-915 on the Dubai to Delhi route on 27 February. The DGCA also imposed a fine of ₹30 lakh on the airline for allegedly not taking prompt and effective action. Based on a complaint by an air hostess, DGCA initiated an investigation against the pilot.
The complaint alleged that the pilot of the Air India flight number AI-915 wanted the crew to create a "welcoming, warm and comfortable" "living room" feel in the cockpit for his woman friend.
"The captain told me to go fetch some pillows from the bunk before Ms XXX. reaches the cockpit to make her feel comfortable. The pilot said the cockpit should appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend. Also, asked me to take her drinks and snacks order and serve her," the air hostess told.