Guwahati: A pilot on an Air India flight from Dubai to Delhi reportedly permitted a female acquaintance to enter the cockpit during the flight. As a result, a cabin crew member filed a complaint saying that safety regulations were broken.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has opened an investigation into the situation in response to the complaint.
“We have taken serious note of the reported incident and investigations are underway in Air India. We have also reported the matter to the DGCA and are cooperating with their investigations. We have zero tolerance in aspects related to the safety and well being of our passengers and will take requisite action, ” Air India said in a statement.
The complaint states 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 mentioned in the complaint.
The DGCA declared that it has started an investigation after taking the issue extremely seriously.
According to the DGCA CAR (Civil Aviation Regulations) and the Air India Operations manual, only authorised individuals who have successfully completed a preflight BA test are permitted to enter the cockpit and sit there, providing they are there for an inspection or are doing so solely for the safety of the flight.