DGCA issues show-cause notice to AI CEO, head of flight safety in pilot's friend in the cockpit issue

Mumbai/New Delhi: DGCA, the aviation regulator, has given Air India CEO Campbell Wilson a show-cause notice for the airline's failure to disclose the incident of a pilot inviting a female companion inside the cockpit during a flight from Dubai to Delhi on February 27.

Henry Donohoe, the airline's Head of Safety, Security, and Quality Functions, has also been given a show-cause notice.

A cabin crew member of the flight had filed a complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit. The incident happened on February 27.

The show cause notices were issued to the Air India CEO and head of flight safety on April 21 for not doing timely reporting of the incident to DGCA, which is in violation of the regulator's safety instructions, the senior official at the DGCA told PTI on Sunday.

Besides, there was a delay in investigating the incident. Both the executives have been given 15 days to respond to the show cause notices, the official said.

There was no immediate comment from Air India.

Earlier this month, DGCA directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of the Dubai-Delhi flight till investigations are complete.

On April 21, the airline said it had taken serious note of the reported incident and that investigations were underway.

Unauthorised people are not allowed to enter the cockpit and any such entry could be a violation of norms.

With PTI inputs