Cockpit fight grounds Air India pilots

Cockpit fight grounds Air India pilots

Struggling state-run carrier Air India has grounded two of its pilots after a fight erupted between the pair just before take-off.

The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain inside the cockpit as they were preparing the passenger plane for takeoff from the Indian tourist city of Jaipur to New Delhi on Sunday night, the Hindustan Times newspaper said on Monday.

The co-pilot was irritated by his superior’s request to write down critical information for the flight, such as the number of passengers on board, take-off weight and fuel uptake, the Times Of India reported.

“The co-pilot took offence at this and reportedly beat up the captain,” the newspaper said, quoting unnamed sources.

“In the larger interest of the airline the commander decided to go ahead with the flight and flew to Delhi,” the daily added.

The airline denied any violence took place, saying there was only a verbal argument between the pair, according to the Press Trust of India.

“There were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue. We have already derostered the two pilots pending an enquiry,” an Air India spokesman told the news agency.

The carrier could not be reached for comment.

Air India – which has not reported an annual profit since 2007 – has been hit by a string of technical glitches and other embarrassing incidents, including staff turning up late for flights.

Many airlines have introduced a rule requiring two crew in the cockpit at all times following the crash of a Germanwings plane last month.

It’s believed the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately smashed the plane into the French Alps after locking the captain out of the cockpit, killing all 150 people on board.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]