Indian airline, Air India, has taken action against two pilots for allegedly inviting a female friend into the cockpit of a Delhi-Leh flight. The airline was contacted by the cabin crew regarding an unauthorised female passenger entering the cockpit of the AI-445 aircraft. As a result, the pilot and the co-pilot were grounded and removed from the roster. The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun an investigation into the incident and formed a committee for detailed investigations. The Leh route is one of the most difficult and sensitive air routes in the country, due to safety and security issues, and allowing an unauthorised person to enter the cockpit of a commercial aircraft is a violation of law.
This follows a similar incident in which another Air India pilot was suspended for welcoming his female friend into the cockpit of Air India flight AI-915 on the Dubai to Delhi route on February 27. The DGCA also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the airline for allegedly not taking prompt and effective action in response to the cockpit violation incident.
Aviation expert, Vipul Saxena, has explained that the landing at Leh airport is one of the toughest operations in the country due to the high altitude mountainous terrain and the sensitivity of the area due to the presence of the country’s defence force bases. Saxena continues and highlights that to operate in this terrain requires a skilled pilot with a good health record due to insufficient oxygen levels.
Air India has yet to make an official statement following the recent incident, and the DGCA is taking necessary action in accordance with procedure. It is imperative that safety standards are upheld and the necessary steps are taken to ensure that unauthorised persons cannot enter the cockpit of commercial aircraft.
