New Delhi:

An Air India pilot was suspended for 3 months for permitting a lady pal to enter and keep within the cockpit throughout a flight from Dubai to Delhi in February, violating security norms, and the airline was fined Rs 30 lakh, mentioned the aviation regulator.

“The pilot in command of the flight allowed the entry into cockpit during cruise, of an Air India Staff on duty travelling as passenger, in violation of DGCA regulations,” mentioned the the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Air India didn’t take immediate corrective motion regardless of this being a “safety sensitive violation”, mentioned the regulator.

“Air India has been fined Rs Thirty lakhs for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue. The pilot License of the PIC has been suspended for a period of three months for misuse of his authority vested under the Aircraft Rules 1937 and allowing violation of the applicable DGCA regulations. The Copilot has been warned for not being assertive in preventing the violation,” the regulator mentioned.

Unauthorised persons are not allowed to enter the cockpit and any such entry is in violation of norms.