Aviation regulator Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has announced a penalty of Rs 1.20 crore on IndiGo and Rs 60 lakh on MIAL for the tarmac incident, pictures of which are being widely shared on social media. On the other hand, DGCA has fined Air India and SpiceJet Rs 30 lakh each for their failure to comply with the rostering of pilots for flights in low visibility conditions.
IndiGo and MIAL Fined for Tarmac Incident at Mumbai Airport
Following the widely shared video of IndiGo passengers having food on the Mumbai airport tarmac, BCAS has imposed fines of Rs 1.20 crore on IndiGo and Rs 60 lakh on MIAL. The penalties come after BCAS issued show-cause notices on January 16, asserting that IndiGo failed to report the incident promptly and did not respond to the situation responsibly. MIAL, on the other hand, submitted a false statement about security officer deployment and lacked alternate arrangements for apron and runway surveillance.
DGCA Penalizes Air India and SpiceJet for Pilot Rostering Violations
DGCA has also fined Air India and SpiceJet Rs 30 lakh each for failing to comply with the rostering of pilots for flights in low visibility conditions. The penalties follow significant flight disruptions at Delhi airport due to dense fog. DGCA found that Air India and SpiceJet did not roster CAT II/III and LVTO qualified pilots for some flights, violating safety protocols. The notices were issued on January 2, and both airlines are under scrutiny for their lapses.
Unusual High Penalties Issued on Airlines and Airport Operator Amidst Fog-related Disruptions
BCAS and DGCA’s substantial penalties on airlines and an airport operator in a single day are considered rare. This action takes place against the backdrop of recent efforts to minimize disruptions caused by fog at Delhi and other airports. The penalties underscore the authorities’ commitment to ensuring compliance with safety and security measures in the aviation sector.
(With PTI Inputs)