'Appears to be unprofessional': DGCA issues show cause notice to Air India officials, crew for urination incident

Aviation regulator DGCA on Thursday said Air India's handling of urination incident "appears to be unprofessional" and has led to a systemic failure.

The assessment pertains to the incident of an inebriated male passenger urinating on a female co-passenger in its business class on November 26 last year.

DGCA issued show cause notices to accountable manager, director of in-flight Services, Air India and pilots and cabin crew members of that flight as to why enforcement action shouldn't be taken against them for dereliction of their duties.

"For fact-finding, DGCA sought the details of the incident from Air India and on the basis of the reply of the airline, prima facie it emerges that provisions related to the handling of an unruly passenger on board have not been complied with. The conduct of the concerned airline appears to be unprofessional and has led to a systemic failure. It lacks appreciation of regulatory obligations," the DGCA said.

The DGCA said that the conduct of the concerned airline appears to be unprofessional and has led to a systemic failure. "Prima facie it lacks appreciation of regulatory obligations as described in applicable Aircraft Rules 1937, Civil Aviation Requirements on 'Handling of Unruly Passengers', Cabin Safety Circular, Air India Operations Manual, Air India Safety and Emergency Procedure Manual and Air India Quick Reference Handbook and is devoid of empathy," it reads.

However, to meet the ends of justice, they have been given two weeks' time to submit their reply to DGCA and based on that further action will be taken.

Tata Group-owned Air India on Thursday told DGCA that its staff had not complained to law enforcement about the Mumbai businessman who allegedly urinated on a female passenger on a New York-Delhi flight in November as the aggrieved lady had ''rescinded'' an initial request for action after the two ''appeared'' to have sorted out the issue.

It stated that the unnamed business class offender has been banned from flying on Air India for 30 days, pending a report of its Internal Committee.

Detailing the incident, Air India told DGCA that its cabin crew received a complaint from a female passenger on board AI 102 on November 26, 2022 that a male co-passenger had soiled her clothes and bags by relieving himself near the seat she was in.

The crew assisted the female passenger to a different seat in the same class and provided a set of dry clothes and slippers.

The female passenger initially requested that action be taken against the offender upon arrival. However subsequently, she rescinded her request after the two parties appeared to have sorted the matter out between them, Air India told DGCA.

As there was no further flare-up or confrontation, and respecting the perceived wishes of the female passenger, the crew elected not to summon law enforcement upon landing, it added.

The matter has been reported to the Internal Committee in accordance with the rules for declaring a passenger 'unruly'.

The airline stated that it has been in regular contact with the aggrieved passenger and her family during the investigation and reporting process.

With inputs from agencies

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