Aviation regulator DGCA has asked Indigo airlines for a report on alleged 'safety violations' by media persons onboard a flight from Chandigarh to Mumbai, on 9 September. The mediapersons were trailing actor Kangana Ranaut, who was on the same flight.
This comes after The Quint's reporter, who was on her way back from her home on the same flight, narrated the ordeal faced by passengers on board the flight due to lack of decorum followed by media persons.
You can access The Quint’s report here.
"We have seen some videos wherein media persons are standing too close to each other in the 6E264 flight on Wednesday. It seems to be a violation of safety and social distancing protocols. We have asked IndiGo to submit a report on this incident," said a DGCA official told PTI.
Another DGCA official confirmed to the news agency that the regulator has asked for a report from the airline on this incident.
Ranaut was sitting in one of the front rows of the flight, and was, in fact, seated diagonally opposite to The Quint's reporter.
As per the Civil Aviation Ministry's social distancing rules, issued on 25 May, "on arrival at the destination, the passengers should be allowed to exit (the plane) in a sequence so as to avoid any bunching"
Cabin Crew, Captain Followed All Requisite Protocols: Indigo
In a statement to the press, Indigo said that it had submitted its response to the DGCA. It also reiterated that announcements were made to restrict photography on the flight.
Indigo's statement is as follows:
“We have given our statement to DGCA regarding the matter pertaining to flight 6E 264 from Chandigarh to Mumbai, on September 9, 2020. We would like to reiterate that our cabin crew, as well as the captain followed all the requisite protocols, including announcements to restrict photography, follow social distancing and maintain overall safety. IndiGo also followed the requisite protocol of documenting this matter in its post-flight report. We are committed to providing a safe, hassle-free experience to our passengers.”
'Will They Now Be on the No Fly List': Twitter Reacts to The Quint's Report
Many on Twitter reacted to The Quint's report, especially pointing towards the action the airlines had taken after comedian Kunal Kamra had an altercation with journalist Arnab Goswami onboard one of its flights.
Kamra was put on a no-fly list by multiple airlines after the matter was taken up by Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri.
Others also remarked how no protocols with regard to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was followed.
(With inputs from PTI)
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