DGCA's findings suggest that training related to Category C airfields -- considered critical due to complex operational conditions -- was conducted using simulators not qualified for such procedures
The action comes after a detailed review of records and responses submitted by the airline last month. Representational Pic/File
India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a show cause notice to IndiGo Airlines following alleged irregularities in simulator training provided to nearly 1,700 pilots, sources revealed on Tuesday, reported the PTI.
The action comes after a detailed review of records and responses submitted by the airline last month.
DGCA's findings suggest that training related to Category C airfields -- considered critical due to complex operational conditions -- was conducted using simulators not qualified for such procedures.
According to the PTI, sources said these simulators were used for training both pilots-in-command and first officers, despite not being authorised for operations at challenging airports such as Calicut, Leh, and Kathmandu. Notably, airports like Calicut, which features a tabletop runway, demand additional safety and training requirements due to their geographical layout and landing challenges.
In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson confirmed the receipt of the notice, “We confirm receipt of a show cause notice issued by the DGCA pertaining to simulator training of some of our pilots. We are in the process of reviewing the same and will respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeline,” as per the PTI.
The airline is expected to submit its formal reply to the DGCA, which may determine further action depending on the findings and justification offered.
Air India flight diverted: 5 MPs write to LS Speaker alleging 'breach of privilege' by airline
Five MPs, including K C Venugopal of the Congress, wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday over the incident of a Thiruvananthapuram-Delhi flight they were travelling in being diverted to Chennai and demanded action on alleged "breach of privilege" by Air India, as per the PTI.
Venugopal and party colleagues K Suresh, Adoor Prakash and Robert Bruce, along with CPI(M)'s K Radhakrishnan also wrote to Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and demanded an immediate investigation into the incident.
In their letter to Birla, the five MPs said they wanted to bring to his attention the matter involving a "grave breach of privilege" by Air India, arising from events on Flight AI 2455 (Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi) on August 10, according to the PTI.
"On the said date, we were travelling along with hundreds of other passengers. The flight, scheduled for 7:15 PM, eventually departed around 8:30 PM citing the late arrival of the incoming aircraft. From the outset, the journey was marked by prolonged turbulence. Passengers were instructed to remain strapped in, and even basic inflight services such as dinner were withheld," the MPs said, the news agency reported on Tuesday.
Midway through the flight, the pilot announced a critical technical fault -- failure of the weather radar -- and declared that the aircraft would be diverted to Chennai, they said.
(with PTI inputs)
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