SpiceJet booked for mid air holi celebrationTop Stories

March 20, 2014 10:55

SpiceJet booked for mid air holi celebration},{SpiceJet booked for mid air holi celebration

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SpiceJet has been issued a show-cause notice by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for holi celebration in mid air. The airlines has been hauled up for violating safety regulations onboard and asked as to why the DGCA should not suspend its permit.

On March 17, cabin crew of Spicejet's eight flights had performed a dance sequence to entertain the passengers when the carrier was mid air.

SpiceJet's holi celebration mid air was recorded and posted on YouTube. In one of the videos a pilot can be seen emerging out of the cockpit and taking pictures of the holi celebrations.

DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar said that in one of the flights (SG 876), even the commander of the plane was seen dancing. Besides, mobile phones were used by passengers and crew members while dancing, said Kumar while added that these actions were in violation of onboard safety rules.

The two pilots of SpiceJet, seen on the YouTube video, has been suspended by DGCA.

A DGCA official said that the dancing of travellers in the aisle leads to unruly environment onboard.

The airlines has confirmed that the video of holi revelry onboard had indeed taken place on their flight, when confronted by DGCA officials. On Tuesday, the regulator had summoned senior executives of SpiceJet over the video.

DGCA had summoned senior executives of the airline on Tuesday. When confronted by the regulator, the airline confirmed that the video was of their flight.

According to a SpiceJet spokesperson, the holi dance sequence had been professionally choreographed and not an impromptu event. Besides, the dance sequence was only for 2.5 minutes, said the spokesperson. The airline authorities are looking into the report in cooperation with DGCA, the spokesperson added.

An aviation safety expert said that celebrations onboard is not a new thing. Such dance performances are there in other airlines as well. The concern in this incident was the pilot joining the celebration during the flight, he added.