The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken stern action against IndiGo Airlines by imposing a hefty fine of Rs 30 lakh.
The penalty comes in response to a series of four tail strikes that occurred within a span of six months.
During its audit of the incidents, the civil aviation body found critical deficiencies in IndiGo’s training and engineering processes, leading to this punitive measure.
Suspension of Licenses:
In addition to the substantial fine, the DGCA also suspended the licenses of the captain and co-pilot involved in the most recent tail strike incident.
The rear part of the IndiGo flight collided with the ground during landing at Ahmedabad airport, prompting the regulatory authority to take immediate action.
The Incident and Its Consequences:
The incident took place on a flight bound from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad (Flight 6E6595). The aircraft’s tail struck the ground during the landing process, raising concerns about passenger safety.
In response to the incident, the DGCA ordered the pilots of the affected flight to cease their flying duties and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Recurring Safety Concerns:
IndiGo Airlines has been facing a series of safety-related challenges over the past six months.
The recent incident in Ahmedabad was not an isolated one, as there have been three other notable events during this period.
These include an aborted landing due to adverse weather conditions in Mumbai and another tail strike incident at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
IndiGo’s Response:
IndiGo Airlines confirmed the incidents and assured that the affected flights were thoroughly inspected. The airline is cooperating with the authorities in the investigations.
However, despite their statements, the airline is now facing strict consequences for endangering the lives of passengers through a series of avoidable mishaps.
The DGCA’s actions serve as a warning to all airlines about the paramount importance of adhering to safety protocols and maintaining stringent training and engineering standards to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.
