Mamata flight controversy: DGCA asks IndiGo to ground pilots till further probe

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday asked IndiGo airline to suspend the pilots operating flight 6E 342 till investigation is not complete over the delay in landing of flight with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on board at the Kolkata airport.

The inquiry was conducted by the regulator supported by IndiGo safety department.

"Pilots operating flight 6E 342 have been kept off flying duties till investigations and discussions with DGCA are complete," said Indigo Airlines spokesperson.

"As an airline we always comply with the DGCA guidelines- IndiGo Captain had followed all SOPs as laid by the regulator and at no stage the Captain declared a fuel priority or an emergency. There has been no violation or breach of any regulatory requirement in the above mentioned matter," the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson further said they are taking up the matter in detail with the DGCA.

In wake of the ongoing controversy over the emergency landing made by the commercial plane on November 30 with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo onboard, IndiGo had earlier clarified that the flight captain at no stage declared a fuel priority or emergency, adding the fuel on arrival was more than minimum.

The airline in a statement said IndiGo flight from Patna to Kolkata had normal landing at the Kolkata airport and the flight was kept on hold due to air traffic.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha had earlier on December 1 said that the DGCA has ordered a probe into the matter, adding further action will be initiated accordingly.

Sinha said the DGCA probe will reveal as to why three planes including an IndiGo flight carrying the TMC supremo on board, reported low on fuel, adding necessary action will be taken following the inquiry.

The IndiGo flight with Mamata and 173 other passengers on board landed in 13 minutes after its pilots reported that they were low on fuel.

On landing at the Kolkata airport, the plane was immediately surrounded by fire engines and ambulances.