The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed probe after a pilot of an Air India flight from Dubai to Delhi entertained a female friend in the cockpit. The commanding pilot of the flight has been accused of ordering food and drinks to be served to crew members while his friend was in the cockpit. However, the flight crew refused to do so.
A senior DGCA official said, “The DGCA is probing the matter. The probe team will look into the relevant facts.” The official said the incident took place on February 27 when an Air India pilot was flying from Dubai to Delhi and allegedly entertained a female friend in the cockpit. “The act violates aviation regulator DGCA safety norms,” the official said.
“We have taken the reported incident seriously and an investigation is underway at Air India. We have also reported the matter to the DGCA and are cooperating with their investigation. We have zero tolerance in aspects related to our safety and well-being ” passengers and will take necessary action,” Air India said in a statement.
The complaint, accessed by ANI, alleged that the pilot of Air India flight number AI-915 wanted the crew to feel “welcoming, warm and comfortable”, the “living room” in the cockpit for his lady friend. Before Ms. XXX asked me to bring some pillows from the bunk. Rush into the cockpit to make her feel comfortable. The pilot said the cockpit should appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as if he was setting up his living room for a female friend. Also, asked me to take and serve her drinks and snacks order,” mentioned the air hostess in the complaint copy accessed by ANI.
Violation of POSH (Prevention of Complaints of Sexual Harassment), Violation of DGCA CAR, Violation of Air Security, Violation of AI-India Ops Manual of AI-915/916 in complaint sent to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and DGCA has been accused of doing. India’s aviation safety regulator DGCA said it has taken the complaint very seriously and has launched an investigation.
The DGCA said, “The matter is being investigated by the DGCA. The investigation team will examine the relevant facts.” As per DGCA CAR (Civil Aviation Regulations) and Air India Operations Manual only authorized persons who have undergone preflight BA test (as enforced by rule) may enter and sit in the cockpit, provided they are on inspection or flight safety be for the purpose of