In an unprecedented move, the Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to SpiceJet, asking as to why
the airline’s permit should not be suspended after safety violations on board
its flights on Holi came to the regulator’s notice.
Sources said that on Monday, the cabin crew of SpiceJet
performed a small dance sequence on a song as part of Holi celebrations, with
some passengers also joining in.
The videos of these events were taken and uploaded on
video-sharing website YouTube and other social media.
In one video, a pilot is seen coming out of the cockpit and
taking photographs of the celebrations at the front of the aisle.
Official sources said the act constituted violation of all
safety norms and two pilots were suspended.
SpiceJet on March 17 ran eight special flights with extra
cabin crew on board to do a 2.5-minute jig on the occasion of Holi.
The airline said it was looking into the issue in
cooperation with the DGCA.
It defended itself saying that the cockpit was manned all
the time.
"The cockpit was manned at all time as per DGCA
regulations that govern the situation when one pilot is outside for example to
use the lavatory," an airline spokesperson told media.
"The dance was professionally choreographed and was
Holi delight for passengers much like it is done by several airlines around the
world to celebrate a special occasion. The entire dance sequence lasted 2.5
minutes," the spokesperson said.
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