AI suspends technician for stealing goods

The theft came to light on Sunday on the Trivandrum ¿ Mumbai AI 810 (A) flight,which was returning after being grounded for a few days because of a technical fault. The aircraft,an A 310,is normally used on the Gulf route.

Shelke had been sent to Trivandrum by Air India as part of the engineering team to service the aircraft. Prior to the flight,the cabin crew tallied the goods on the duty free sealed cart and found several goods missing and the airline security staff was called. “They checked the baggage of the entire crew and the engineering team and recoved the stolen goods from his tool kit. He has admitted to stealing,” said an airline source.

Confirming the incident,an airline spokesperson said,“The concerned service engineer has been placed under suspension pending further inquiry into the issue.”

Air India has had several such incidents of thefts in the past where the staff have been caught pilfering goods meant for passengers on board. Most notable was when Air India had initiated an inquiry after liquour bottles were found missing from PM’s special aircraft during his visit to Germany in 2006.