The DGCA has sent a notice to IndiGO about the Kangana Ranaut flight chaos.
New Delhi:
Amid controversy over the media frenzy over Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut’s flight from Chandigarh to Mumbai on Wednesday, the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA, warned airlines with the suspension of a flight during two weeks if someone is found taking pictures on an airplane against the rules imposed by the government. Airlines have been told to act against regulators or face action.
The aviation regulator, in a statement today, reminded airlines that “no person may take photographs, except in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of a written permission granted by the Director General, a Deputy Director General, a Deputy Director-General or the Director of Regulation and Information of the Department of Civil Aviation. ”However, the permit“ is not applicable when said aircraft is landing, taking off or on the ground at a defense aerodrome, ”he said.
Noting that airlines often do not follow these rules, “mainly due to lack of diligence,” the regulator gave flight operators a stern warning. “It has been decided that from now on, in the event of such a violation, the flight schedule for that particular route will be suspended for a period of two weeks from the following day.” The flight operation will be restored “only after the airline has taken all necessary punitive measures against those responsible for the infraction.”
– DGCA (@DGCAIndia) September 12, 2020
“Such deviations result in a commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards,” the DGCA underlined in the statement.
A report was requested from IndiGo on an alleged “violation of security and social distancing protocol by media personnel on flight 6E-264” after the DGCA saw the media frenzy in the videos, sources said .
In videos that emerged online, reporters are seen violating government-mandated Covid protocols, speaking into their microphones or recording mobile phone videos while reporting for their channels from the plane amid a savage chase of actor Kangana Ranaut.
The 33-year-old actor was returning to Mumbai that day amid a major dispute with the ruler Shiv Sena of Maharashtra.
IndiGo, India’s largest private airline, said its own crew followed all protocols on that flight. “We would like to reiterate that our cabin crew, as well as the captain, followed all necessary protocols, including postings to restrict photography, follow social distancing, and maintain general safety. IndiGo also followed the required protocol to document this matter in your post-flight report. We are committed to providing a safe and uncomplicated experience to our passengers, “said the national airline.
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