AirAsia India pilot and popular vlogger Gaurav Taneja has claimed that the airline has suspended him for "standing up for safe operations of an aircraft and its passengers".
Taneja had alleged earlier that the airline was violating safety protocols that have been introduced to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, which could endanger the lives of hundreds of AirAsia India passengers.
He also urged his more than two lakh followers to call out his employers and stand by him.
Taking to Twitter, Taneja wrote:
Today I have been officially suspended from @AirAsiaIndian for standing up for safe operations of an aircraft and its passengers.@AwakenIndia #SabkeLiye— Gaurav Taneja (@flyingbeast320) June 14, 2020
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a statement on June 15 stating it has taken note of the "concerns raised by some stakeholders against a particular airline and its approach to safety".
The DGCA has reportedly started investigating the issues flagged by Taneja and will take appropriate action against the airline if his allegations stand true.
DGCA has taken note of the concerns raised by some stakeholders against a particular Airline and its approach to safety. DGCA has already started an investigation into the issues flagged and shall take appropriate action based on the outcome of the said investigation.— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) June 15, 2020
An AirAsia India spokesperson has informed that the allegations are being internally investigated, according to a report in Mint. An AirAsia India official said Taneja was suspended on disciplinary grounds for reporting sick frequently and has nothing to do with him flagging the safety lapses.
"There are some disciplinary issues due to which he has been suspended. This issue is being dealt with internally," he said.
