Pilots of AirAsia flight use secondary gate to disembark after feared COVID-19 passengers sit near cockpit

Pilots of an AirAsia Pune-Delhi flight chose to use the plane's secondary gate to exit after a few passengers who were feared to be infected with COVID-19 travelled sitting in the first row. The passengers were later tested negative.

However, as a precautionary measure, the flight's crew have isolated themselves for 14 days.

The incident happened at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on March 20.

"There was a case reported of suspected COVID-19 passengers aboard I5-732, Pune to New Delhi on March 20, seated in Row 1. The passengers were subsequently screened and tested negative," an AirAsia India spokesperson said.

"As a safety measure after landing, the aircraft was parked at a remote bay and the suspected passengers disembarked from the front door. All other passengers, escorted by the crew, disembarked from the rear door of the aircraft," the spokesperson said.

The Spokesperson further said, "The crew in the cockpit self-quarantined till the cabin environment near the primary exit was ascertained to be safe. The Captain elected to disembark from the secondary exit using a secure trestle, given the close proximity of the seats from the cockpit. The aircraft was fumigated and thorough disinfection and deep cleaning were carried out."

"Our crew are well trained for incidents of this nature and we would like to put on record our appreciation for their dedication in continuing to serve passengers with the utmost care in the current conditions," the Spokesperson added.