An Air India pilot is under the scanner for reportedly having his ‘very sweet’ female friend over in the flight deck while operating a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27.
A crew member reported this alleged serious violation of rules to the airline and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, both of which are now investigating the complaint. What’s more, the crew member claims the pilot wanted to friend to be given a “living room” experience as he asked for pillows, business class meal and alcohol for her.
It is learnt the “friend” is a trained cabin crew on the type of aircraft, Boeing 787, that was being used to operate this flight that day. “This lady had gone to Dubai for AI’s office work. She was sleeping in her economy class seat when the captain sent the cabin crew to call her to the cockpit.
While she is a trained cabin crew, the pilot should not have called her to the flight deck as she was not a crew on this flight. She spent some time on the jump seat and has completely denied asking for liquor or the same being served to her while she was there. She had coffee in the flight deck and then left for her economy seat,” said multiple aviation sources.
The pilot’s way of speaking and action offended the cabin crew member who filed the complaint on return. Some co-passengers reportedly objected to a flyer going to the flight deck as only crew members are allowed there in flight. Both the pilots who operated the said flight are currently learnt to be abroad. They will be taken off flying duties (off rostered) the moment they land in India pending this inquiry.
An AI spokesperson said: “We have taken serious note of the reported incident and investigations are underway in Air India. We have also
reported the matter to the DGCA and are cooperating with their investigations. We have zero tolerance in aspects related to the safety and well being of our passengers and will take requisite action.”
