An Air India pilot is under investigation for reportedly inviting a woman friend inside the cockpit during a Dubai to Delhi flight in February. The pilot not only allowed the woman passenger inside the cockpit, but also asked crew to serve them food and drinks inside. Both his actions stand in violation of strict safety rules set down by India’s aviation regulator DGCA.
According to news reports, the pilot invited his female friend, a passenger on the same Air India flight, to enter the cockpit shortly after take-off on February 27. The woman remained inside the cockpit for the major portion of the Delhi to Dubai flight.
The pilot also asked cabin crew to serve them refreshments inside the cockpit, which crew refused to do. A crew member later filed a complaint with Air India, a copy of which was reviewed by Hindustan Times.
According to the complaint, the pilot on flight AI 915 asked the crew to serve his friend food and drinks that are served in business class. Indian laws allow food and beverages to be served inside the cockpit but under strict guidelines. All cups, for example, must be covered with a lid to avoid spillage.
“Air India has constituted a committee to investigate the issues raised,” an airline official confirmed to Hindustan Times, saying the airline had received the complaint on March 3.
A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told news agency ANI that the pilot’s actions were a breach of security and could have endangered the safety of passengers.
According to the complainant, the pilot in command seated his woman friend on the first observer seat.
“He said the cockpit should appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend. Also, to take her drinks and snacks order and serve her in the cockpit. I told him, ‘Captain, I am not comfortable serving alcohol in the cockpit’. This seems to have upset him a lot and his entire attitude changed from that moment onwards. He became very snappy and rude and from there on started treating me like a servant working exclusively for him,” the crew member said in her complaint, according to Hindustan Times.
As per DGCA guidelines, the general public is not allowed inside the cockpit. Crew members, employees of the aircraft operator, airline officials and officials from the civil aviation ministry may enter the cockpit provided they pass the mandatory breath analyser test.
The DGCA has ordered a detailed investigation into the Air India incident.
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