Indigo | DGCA
DGCA issues warning to airlines, after media frenzy on Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut in Indigo flight
New Delhi/IBNS: Amid the controversy over media frenzy surrounding Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut’s return flight to Mumbai from Chandigarh, aviation regulator –Director General of Civil Aviation or DGCA—has warned flight operators with two weeks of suspension if anyone is found taking photographs in an airplane flouting the government-mandated rules.
In a statement today, DGCA told the airlines, "...no person shall take any photograph except in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of permission in writing granted by the Director General, a Joint Director General, a Deputy Director-General or the Director of Regulations and Information of the Civil Aviation Department".
"The permission, however, is not applicable when such aircraft is landing, taking off or on ground at a defence aerodrome," it added.
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) September 12, 2020
The regulator stressed that the airlines often fail to comply with the rules primarily due to lack of diligence and issued a tough warning against the airlines.
"Such deviations result in a compromise in maintaining the highest standards of safety," the DGCA underscored in the statement.
"It has been decided that from now on, in case any such violation occurs, the schedule of flight for that particular route shall be suspended for a period of two weeks from the next day", and the flight operations will be allowed to restore "only after the airline has taken all the necessary punitive action against those responsible for the violation," it said.
An NDTV report said that the DGCA has sought a report from Indoigo, explaining the alleged "violation of safety and social distancing protocol by media personnel on flight 6E-264".
Videos went viral showing reporters violating government-mandated Covid protocols while trying to grab pictures and footages of the actress for their channels..
However, Indigo said its cabin crew stuck to the government laid protocols. “We would like to reiterate that our cabin crew, as well as the captain followed all the requisite protocols, including announcements to restrict photography, follow social distancing and maintain overall safety. IndiGo also followed the requisite protocol of documenting this matter in its post-flight report. We are committed to providing a safe, hassle-free experience to our passengers," the domestic carrier said.
The incident happened when Kangana Ranaut was returning to Mumbai amid a huge row with Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena-led government.
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