Air India pilot suspended after mid-air fight with air-hostess

Air India has suspended one of its captains after an air-hostess complained that he got into a mid-air fight with her after she objected to an unauthorised passenger travelling in the cockpit in violation of security norms.

She has also filed a police complaint against the pilot alleging misbehaviour and harassment.

"The pilot has been derostered, meaning he will not fly. The pilot is currently in Bangkok, where he flew a day after the incident as a commander, but will return as a passenger from Bangkok tomorrow," an Air India spokesperson said.

Air India sources said that the alleged incident took place on March 2 on the Delhi-Kolkata flight AI 020. The commander of the flight allegedly took a Customs officer, who was a passenger, into the cockpit and the air-hostess said she found them smoking.

The air-hostess objected to this, leading to an argument with the pilot. She was apparently supported by other cabin crew on the flight.

"Since this flight returns to Delhi with the same crew, the air-hostess filed a police complaint upon landing in Delhi," said the source.

Police said a complaint had been registered under section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with "words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman".

"We have registered a case and are verifying the matter," said deputy commissioner of police (airport) J S Deswal.

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