The pilots of the Delhi-Baku flight were relieved of their flying duties by IndiGo on Tuesday after it was found that they had taken off without the required authorization from the air traffic controller (ATC). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which oversees aviation regulations, has opened an investigation into the situation.
The aviation regulator issued a statement saying, "With reference to reports regarding IndiGo flight 6E 1803 operating between Delhi and Baku on Jan 28, 2024, the incident is currently under investigation, and, appropriate action will be taken as necessary."
The event involving the safety breach occurs during a period when the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MCA) and DGCA are enforcing zero tolerance towards such incidents. After a video of the passengers went viral on social media and showed them dining in public close to the airstrip, the aviation regulator recently fined Mumbai Airport ₹90 lakh and IndiGo Airline ₹1.2 million.
After giving careful thought to the situation, Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia called a meeting with ministry representatives at midnight. "Both IndiGo and Mumbai International Airport were not proactive in anticipating the situation and in making the appropriate facilitation arrangements for passengers at the airport," a source with knowledge of the matter said.
A passenger on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Lucknow reported that there was a bomb under his seat, which caused the flight to be delayed. Following the event, which caused terror throughout the aircraft, every passenger was removed. The attack occurred on January 26, just as Republic Day celebrations had security agencies on high alert. After a careful examination, the security staff discovered no bomb inside the airplane.
In accordance with Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 506(2) and 505(1)(B), Mumbai Police also responded quickly to the scene and took the 27-year-old passenger into custody. "During the investigation, no suspicious object was found," the police declared.
