DGCA defends action against Jet cabin crew

Sonu Nigam had told media suspension of flight crew shows lack of common sense and exemplified real intolerance

The Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) today defended its action against the Jet Airways crew, saying that the act violated norms of using public announcement system in an aircraft.

The passenger of a Jet Airways flight from Jodhpur to Mumbai requested singer Sonu Nigam, who was also traveling on the same flight, to sing for them.

Nigam obliged after the cabin crew allowed him to use the public announcement system to for signing.

According to DGCA, there are guidelines under which announcement system is to be used only for specific purpose.

Some of the conditions of using the system are before commencement of flight, expected departure or arrival delays of 15 minutes or more. Prolonged taxi in or out, returning back to gate, during cruise for route and weather information, air turn back or diversion, after go around or any abnormal or emergency situation." It is not meant to sing songs," said a DGCA official.

Jet Airways have already suspended the five cabin crews who were on duty.

"All cabin crew have been taken off flight duty for inquiry and corrective training and to strict adherence to operating procedures," a Jet Airways statement said.

Sonu Nigam had earlier told media that suspension of the flight crew showed a lack of common sense and exemplified real intolerance.