2 AirAsia execs suspended over safety violations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai:12.08.2020

Two AirAsia India officials, Capt Manish Uppal, head of operations and Capt Mukesh Nema, head of air safety have been suspended for a period of three months by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) for alleged safety violations.

Director general of civil aviation, Arun Kumar confirmed the development. Under the regulator’s norms, appointments to crucial posts like airline-head of air safety, head of operations are cleared by the DGCA.

In June, the DGCA had initiated a probe against AirAsia India after one of its pilots, Captain Gaurav Taneja, uploaded a video on social media, alleging that pilots who availed sick leave had to forgo the subsequent weekly leave and the policy could have fatigued pilots at the flight controls. The second issue was airline’s alleged push for “flap 3’’ mode landings, which resulted in fuel savings. But on runways like Imphal, a flap 3 landing in tailwind condition is unsafe, he said adding that he was suspended by the airline for flagging such issues.

The DGCA began a probe and on June 29, issued a show cause notice to Capt Uppal, Capt Nema and the CEO of the airline. Prior to that, on June 26, Capt Taneja was terminated by the airline.

AirAsia India in a statement said that it “has complied with the directions of the regulator and appointed interim post holders in accordance with the regulator’s directions. As an airline that prioritizes safety above all, we continue to engage with the authorities and exercise the option to appeal for redressal.”

Advocate Yeshwant Shenoy, one of Capt Taneja’s lawyers said: “Pilots are always afraid to raise issues, especially in these times of job insecurities due to the pandemic’s impact on the airline industry. Had pilots stood up for safety issues, Calicut crash could certainly have been avoided.”

Capt Taneja’s spokesperson said: “It’s a clear win for a whistleblower against a a big organisation.’’

AirAsia India in a statement said that it has complied with the directions of the regulator & appointed interim post holders in accordance with the regulator’s directions