Six pilots of Kingfisher Airlines, GoAir and Air India have been de-rostered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after they violated guidelines while landing on a short runway at Mumbai airport under rainy conditions.
The DGCA also issued notices to the three airlines on the matter asking them to explain why the strict guidelines were not followed by their aircraft while operating on a wet and short runway which was in operation at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday afternoon, official sources said in New Delhi.
DGCA has de-rostered in all six pilots of three operators - Kingfisher, Go Air and NACIL - which had yesterday operated flights during wet runway conditions, they said.
However, an airlines' spokesperson denied such claim.
"We categorically deny this as false and mischievous. The cockpit crew and the cabin crew all remained present till all guests had safely exited from the aircraft and performed their duties as required of them in the given situation," Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson said.
"The commander of our flight did not receive any notification advising or alerting our aircraft of any special conditions prevailing on the runway at that time which may have potentially led to the eventful landing of another aircraft," he said.
According to airport officials, the regulatory body has also rostered one Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for failing to notify the commander of Kingfisher Airlines aircraft about the runway conditions.
"DGCA has derostered one ATC for failing to notify the Kingfisher Airline's commander about the excessive water accumulation and rubber deposits on the runway," a Mumbai Airport official said.
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