Aviation authorities have collectively fined IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet a total of Rs 2.70 crore
- Posted on January 18, 2024
- Legal
- By Arijit Dutta
- 203 Views
Aviation regulators DGCA and BCAS have collectively fined IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet a total of Rs 2.70 crore. IndiGo received a Rs 60 lakh penalty for an incident at Mumbai airport where passengers were seen having food on the tarmac. Air India and SpiceJet faced fines of Rs 30 lakh each for non-compliance with pilot rostering during low visibility conditions. The penalties highlight concerns over passenger safety and operational adherence in the aviation sector.
In
a recent development, aviation authorities, the Bureau
of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) have imposed fines amounting to Rs 2.70 crore on major airlines
IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. This comes in response to various issues
reported at Mumbai airport, including an incident where passengers were
observed having food on the tarmac.
IndiGo
bore the brunt of the penalties, with a fine of Rs 60 lakh for its lapse in
managing the situation. BCAS criticized the airline for its failure to report
the incident promptly and for not responding responsibly and efficiently during
the emergent situation. The regulator pointed out IndiGo's shortcomings in
ensuring security screening of passengers and cabin baggage, emphasizing the
need for protection from unlawful interference throughout the boarding process
at Mumbai airport.
Simultaneously,
Mumbai airport operator MIAL also faced penalties, with a fine of Rs 60 lakh.
This substantial penalty followed the revelation of a video depicting
passengers engaging in mealtime activities on the tarmac. The incident occurred
after a Goa-Delhi flight operated by IndiGo was diverted and experienced
significant delays.
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Air
India and SpiceJet were not exempt from regulatory actions either. DGCA imposed
fines of Rs 30 lakh each on both airlines for their failure to comply with
pilot rostering protocols during flights operating in low visibility
conditions. This raises concerns about operational preparedness and safety
measures implemented by airlines, especially during challenging weather
conditions.
The
fines underscore the regulators' commitment to maintaining strict standards
within the aviation sector, emphasizing the importance of adherence to safety
protocols and responsible handling of emergent situations to ensure passenger
well-being.