AirAsia India, a Tata Group-owned budget carrier, has been fined Rs 20 lakh by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for violating certain pilot training norms.
According to the DGCA statement, the nature of the violation was not specified. AirAsia, however, clarified that the lapse may be related to simulator training.
In addition to removing the airline’s head of training for three months, the DGCA fined eight designated examiners (DEs) Rs 3 lakh each.
The report stated, “During an inspection, a DGCA team observed a few mandatory exercises of the pilots of AirAsia were not performed as per schedule during the pilot proficiency check/instrument rating check (which is an International Civil Aviation Organization requirement) as per schedule, thereby violating DGCA regulations.”
Airlines have already conducted mandatory exercises for their pilots, according to AirAsia. However, we are reviewing the DGCA order and may appeal, it said. “We are not departing from the safety margins required for our operations.”
