Air India cracks down on cough syrup smuggling

Air India is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. While it's no secret that a section of its cabin crew and some pilots were found involved in theft, pilferage and smuggling of bottles of single malt, food and toiletries in the past, this time cough syrup smuggling has come as an embarrassment for the airline. A section of Air India's cabin crew on a Delhi-London flight was caught smuggling as many as 450 bottles of the cough syrup Benadryl. This happened about a month back.

Since cough syrup is not available over the counter in the United Kingdom or most other countries outside India (it is popular among teens who drink it to get high), a section of the Air India cabin crew started smuggling bottles of Benadryl to London and elsewhere, our sources in the airline said. Finally, there were caught.

"The airline's top bosses are in no mood to take this lightly. They have swung into action to do an immediate damage control," said a senior officer. "A chargesheet has been issued in this case against the errant cabin crew to explain their action, pending which a final disciplinary action would be taken. The cabin crew involved in the incident face termination from services if found guilty," he said.

Warning

It is learnt that the airline has issued stern warning to its staff as such conduct dents the public image of the national carrier. Speaking to MAIL TODAY, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said: "There is zero tolerance for any act of indiscipline and misconduct by our staff both on-board and at the airports. Immediate action will be taken and penalties slapped if such things come to light."

Air India's new CMD Ashwini Lohani, who has been trying to mobilise the airline's staff to maximise operational output and raise the target of economic returns, also said he won't tolerate misconduct or indiscipline. A top airline official said: "We want to redefine the image of the national carrier. We have terminated the services of three members of the cabin crew including one woman who was caught smuggling.

One was caught redhanded with 90 kilo grams of cheese. He was later handed over to the customs department for further action."

In three separate cases, Air India management noticed that cabin crew members were using their luggage to smuggle goods.

One had hidden 10 contraband tablets in his bag and landed in Delhi airport. He was caught red handed and handed over to customs department. Another member of the cabin crew was trying to smuggle spy cameras. His services were terminated with immediate effect.

"We have adopted zero tolerance policy for such illegal activities in Air India so that the national carrier's image can be given a boost. Sadly, no one had taken serious steps earlier," an Air India official said.

"We have deployed officials to keep a check on errant staff. We want to clear the airline of rotten apples," he added.

The management also has a note of caution for pilots. Those threatening to disrupt operations through "illegal stoppage of work'' like strikes may face the music soon.

(In association with Mail Today Bureau)