ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: In a shocking incident captured on camera, a passenger physically assaulted an IndiGo pilot while he was announcing delays on flight 6E-2175 from Delhi to Goa. The flight was significantly delayed due to fog, prompting an investigation into the assault.
The passenger, identified as Sahil Kataraia, assaulted the pilot as he made announcements regarding the delays caused by adverse weather conditions. IndiGo has filed a complaint against the passenger and is in the process of initiating an official case.
The viral video shows a man in a yellow hoodie rushing from the last row to hit the new pilot, who had taken over due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms after a prolonged delay. FDTL regulations aim to ensure the well-being of pilots and flight attendants by enforcing adequate rest periods to mitigate fatigue-related safety concerns. The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees the implementation of these regulations.
A passenger punched an Indigo capt in the aircraft as he was making delay announcement. The guy ran up from the last row and punched the new Capt who replaced the previous crew who crossed FDTL. Unbelievable ! @DGCAIndia @MoCA_GoI pic.twitter.com/SkdlpWbaDd
— Capt_Ck (@Capt_Ck) January 14, 2024
Following the assault, authorities promptly removed the passenger from the plane.
Social media users expressed outrage, emphasising that the pilot and cabin crew were merely performing their duties and should not be subjected to such behavior. Calls were made for the passenger’s arrest and inclusion in the no-fly list.
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The incident occurred amid significant disruptions at the Delhi airport, where 110 flights experienced delays, and 79 flights were canceled, with an average delay of 50 minutes. This added to the frustration of passengers already grappling with extensive flight disruptions attributed to adverse weather conditions, including dense fog in north India.
Yesterday witnessed severe delays at the Delhi airport, with some flights facing delays exceeding seven or eight hours. Major airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara, cautioned that the ongoing bad weather conditions in Delhi and Kolkata could further impact flight schedules. The incident underscores the heightened tensions and challenges faced by both passengers and airline staff amid the current weather-related disruptions.
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(Inputs from agencies)
