Low-cost airline IndiGo has been fined Rs 1.2 crore by the Bureau Of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) following the circulation of a viral video showing passengers eating on the tarmac while waiting for a delayed flight at Mumbai airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also took notice of the video and ordered Mumbai Airport to pay Rs 30 lakh for the violation. The Centre has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai Airport in relation to the incident. The BCAS stated that IndiGo must pay the penalty within 30 days, making it the highest penalty imposed on an airline in recent times. The DGCA described the incident as a “violation of apron discipline” and emphasized that it jeopardized the safety of passengers and aircraft. The regulator deemed Mumbai Airport’s response unsatisfactory, stating that it failed to adhere to safety requirements. Air India and SpiceJet have also been fined by the DGCA for poor preparedness resulting in fog delays. Both airlines have been fined Rs 30 lakh each for violation and non-compliance of Aircraft Rules, 1937. The DGCA holds meetings with airline and aerodrome operators before the onset of fog season to ensure preparedness for low visibility operations. However, SpiceJet and Air India failed to roster CAT II/III and LVTO-qualified pilots for some flights, violating the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements. The DGCA issued show-cause notices to both airlines and imposed fines of Rs 30 lakh each. This year, fog delays took an unprecedented turn with social media visuals showing passengers sitting on the tarmac and eating meals next to an aircraft. The incident captured in the viral video involved exhausted passengers sitting on the tarmac near an IndiGo plane after their Goa-Delhi flight was diverted to Mumbai due to low visibility in Delhi. IndiGo apologized for the incident and stated that it is investigating the matter to prevent any recurrence.
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IndiGo Fined Rs 1.2 Crore for Passengers Eating on Tarmac
