After DGCA rap, AirAsia withdraws magazine

In-flight magazine Travel 3Sixty had shown J&K as part of Pakistan and China; airline told to take DGCA's approval before publishing any Indian map

Malaysian carrier AirAsia on Thursday tendered an apology, withdrew all copies of its in-flight magazine Travel 3Sixty from circulation, and removed the same from its website, complying with a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) order, for wrongly depicting India’s map.

According to official sources, DGCA Chief Prabhat Kumar received a complaint on Thursday morning about AirAsia's in-flight magazine wrongly depicting India’s geographical boundaries. The map showed Jammu & Kashmir as part of Pakistan and China.

Kumar took prompt action and ordered the airline to remove all copies of the magazine by 5:00 pm on Thursday and also remove the map from its website immediately, failing which AirAsia would face stringent action including stopping it from flying in and out of the country.

The airline was also directed to submit a compliance report.

A senior DGCA official said: “AirAsia has informed us that it has complied with the order. It was withdrawn 300 copies of its in-flight magazine and also removed the map from its website within the time frame specified.”

He added: “AirAsia has apologised. The airline has been directed to publish only authenticated map of India, that too after seeking approval from DGCA.”

AirAsia currently operates to Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata and Tiruchirappalli.