Air India operations director suspended for skipping medical test
Monday, 10 Feb, 2017
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The issue of safety violations committed by Indian pilots and crew members has resurfaced again, but this time the finger is being pointed at a senior manager.
Air India’s executive director of operations A K Kathpalia, a qualified pilot, skipped a mandatory pre-flight medical test and has been removed from all flying duties.
It came to light after pilot union Indian Commercial Pilots Association made a complaint.
Kathpalia’s removal from duty was ordered by the Indian air regulator’s flight safety department.
The union said in its complaint: "It has been brought to our notice that one of the executive directors, who is a pilot, has been evading the pre-flight medical test, endangering the safety of the passengers and crew members."
"In compliance with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation orders, Capt AK Kathpalia will not be assigned any flight to operate anymore," airline sources told new agency PTI.
The union urged authorities to ‘procure the pre-flight medical record and all CCTV footage in dispatch and pre-flight medical room at Delhi."
Under normal rules any crew member who refuses to take a pre-flight medical test can be suspended for a month and faces disciplinary action.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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