On smuggling, Air India warns of action if staff guilty

National flag carrier Air India on Friday said stringent action will be taken if guilt is established against a cabin crew employee, detained in Saudi Arabia over alleged smuggling charges.

According to a senior Air India spokesperson, a male cabin crew member who was supposed to have been operating on a Jeddah-Kochi flight was detained by Saudi authorities at the King Abdulaziz International Airport.

"A cabin crew employee has been detained. We are awaiting further details of the detainment and if found guilty, the most stringent action will be taken against the employee," the spokesperson told IANS from the company's corporate office at Airlines House in the national capital.

"We will also have a departmental inquiry and such activities will not be tolerated."

The detention that took place late Thursday night forced the airline to operate the flight with one less cabin crew from a sanctioned strength of 12.

"We will also come out with a further official statement soon," the spokesperson said.