Flight cockpit violation: DGCA fines Air India Rs 30L

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for allegedly not taking prompt and effective action in the February 27 Dubai-Delhi flight cockpit violation incident and suspended the Pilot in command for three months. The pilot of Air India AI-915 Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27 allowed a woman friend to enter the cockpit, according to a complaint filed by a cabin crew member on the same flight who alleged that safety norms were violated. Last month, India’s aviation regulatory body DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Chief of flight safety Henry Donohoe for failing to report the Dubai-Delhi flight cockpit violation incident on time. The notice was issued on April 21 and 15 days were given to respond. “Air India CEO was issued show cause notice for the February 27 incident,” a DGCA official told ANI. According to DGCA, the CEO of Air India received a complaint in this regard from one of the operating crew members of the flight. However, the organization did not take prompt corrective action despite this being a safety-sensitive violation. Anticipating a delayed response, the complainant approached the DGCA. Aviation regulator DGCA took the complaint seriously and launched an investigation.