Asked for alcohol for his female friend who entered cockpit; Air India pilot gets suspended

NEW DELHI: Action taken against Air India pilot who allowed his female friend into the cockpit. He was suspended for three months by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air India has been fined Rs 30 lakh for the incident on the Dubai-Delhi flight. The DGCA also highlighted negligence on the part of Air India for not taking action on the pilot's mistake.

On February 27, the pilot who was on commanding duty of the plane admitted the female friend who was a passenger in the cockpit. The woman who entered the cockpit was an employee of Air India as well. In the complaint filed by the crew, it is said that she spent an hour in the cockpit with the pilot.

According to the complaint, the captain asked his friend who was traveling in economy class to be upgraded to business class. When he was informed that there was no seat in the business class, he asked to bring his friend to the cockpit. The complaint mentions that the captain instructed them to make the cockpit attractive for his friend and to deliver alcohol and snacks. The DGCA criticized Air India over the incident and reprimanded the co-pilot for not warning the pilot about the matter. DGCA has also directed to take action against Air India's employee who entered the cockpit.