Air India pilot under investigation for allowing friend into the cockpit during flight

New Delhi (India), April 21, 2023: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched a detailed investigation into an alleged safety breach that occurred on an Air India flight from Dubai to Delhi in February.

According to the sources, the pilot of the flight had allegedly invited a female friend who was a passenger on the same flight to enter and stay in the cockpit during the journey, violating safety norms. The DGCA stated that the act was a breach of safety norms and a distraction that could have compromised the safety of the flight and its passengers.

A senior DGCA official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the pilot’s actions were a breach of security and safety, and he could face disciplinary action, including suspension or cancellation of his license, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

The official added that the DGCA was currently examining the relevant facts and conducting an inquiry into the matter.

Air India has yet to release a statement regarding the incident. This is the latest in a series of incidents involving Air India flights in recent months, including a Delhi-bound flight that made a priority landing after a suspected windshield crack and a flight that made an emergency landing in Jaipur after an engine failure mid-air.

The aviation industry’s safety norms and regulations are critical to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, and any violation of these standards is taken seriously by aviation regulators worldwide.