Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Head of Safety, Security and Quality Functions Henry Donohoe have been issued show-cause notices by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for not reporting a violation of cockpit access norms. A pilot allowed a female friend to enter the cockpit during a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27. A cabin crew member filed a complaint with the DGCA, prompting an investigation. The show-cause notices were issued on April 21, and both executives have 15 days to respond.
The incident, which was reported to the CEO and Head of Safety, Security and Quality Functions via confidential mail on March 3, was not investigated by Air India before the DGCA’s investigation on April 21, according to sources. The DGCA had directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of the flight until investigations were complete. The incident was in violation of norms that prohibit unauthorised entry into the cockpit.
Earlier this year, Air India was fined Rs 30 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for not reporting two incidents of alleged peeing on its international flights. The airline has yet to comment on the show-cause notices.
Violation of Cockpit Access Norms
The pilot of an Air India flight from Dubai to Delhi on February 27 allowed a female friend to enter the cockpit during the flight. The incident was reported to the DGCA by a cabin crew member, and an investigation was launched. The incident was in violation of norms that prohibit unauthorised entry into the cockpit.
The DGCA issued show-cause notices to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Head of Safety, Security and Quality Functions Henry Donohoe on April 21 for failing to report the incident in a timely manner. The notices give the executives 15 days to respond.
Sources indicate that the incident was reported to the CEO and Head of Safety, Security and Quality Functions via confidential mail on March 3, but no inquiry had been conducted by Air India before the DGCA’s investigation on April 21.
Earlier this month, the DGCA directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of the Dubai-Delhi flight until investigations were complete. On April 21, Air India said it had taken the incident seriously and that investigations were underway.
Previous Incidents
Air India has previously been fined for not reporting incidents on its international flights. Earlier this year, the airline was fined Rs 30 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for not reporting two back-to-back incidents of alleged peeing on its international flights.
In one incident, a passenger on a flight from New York to Delhi was accused of urinating on a seat. In another incident, a passenger on a flight from Amritsar to Delhi was accused of urinating in the aisle. The airline was fined for not reporting the incidents to the DGCA in a timely manner.
Air India has not commented on the recent show-cause notices issued by the DGCA. Investigations into the cockpit access incident are ongoing.
