On April 21, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued show-cause notices to Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, and the head of safety, security, and quality functions, Henry Donohoe, for failing to timely report an incident that occurred during a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27. The incident involved a pilot allowing a woman friend into the cockpit, which a cabin crew member reported to the DGCA. The senior official confirmed that the notices were issued due to the executives violating the regulator’s safety instructions.
Per the DGCA’s safety instructions, timely reporting of incidents is crucial, and any violation can result in disciplinary action. In this case, the DGCA deemed the executives’ failure to report the incident a severe lapse in the airline’s safety measures.
The show-cause notices require both executives to respond within 15 days, explaining their failure to report the incident on time. They must provide a convincing explanation to avoid any further disciplinary action.
The aviation industry places a significant emphasis on safety, and any violations can lead to severe consequences. The DGCA has taken a stern stance on this issue, and the executives’ response to the show-cause notices will determine the course of action the regulator takes.
