New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator has suspended an Air India pilot, who allowed a woman friend inside the cockpit during a Dubai-Delhi flight in February, for violating safety norms and also fined the airline Rs 30 lakh.

"The pilot in command of the flight allowed the entry into the cockpit during the cruise, of an Air India Staff on duty travelling as a passenger, in violation of DGCA regulations," said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Air India did not take prompt corrective action despite this being a "safety sensitive violation", said the regulator.

"Air India has been fined Rs Thirty lakhs for not promptly and effectively addressing the safety sensitive issue. The pilot License of the PIC has been suspended for a period of three months for misuse of his authority vested under the Aircraft Rules 1937 and allowing violation of the applicable DGCA regulations. The Copilot has been warned for not being assertive in preventing the violation," the regulator said.

According to a senior official at the DGCA, a complaint was lodged by a cabin crew member of Air India about a pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit during a Dubai-Delhi flight on February 27, 2023.

As per India’s aviation laws, unauthorised persons are prohibited from entering the cockpit and any such entry is considered violation of the rules.

After the complaint was lodged DGCA instructed Air India to remove the entire crew of the Dubai-Delhi flight from the roster until investigations are completed.

Air India responded to the reported incident on April 21, stating that it had taken the matter seriously and that an investigation was ongoing.

The airline also reiterated that unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter the cockpit, and doing so would be a violation of regulations.