NEWS
COVID-19: SpiceJet initiates action against on-board marriage couples
FOLLOWING that it has initiated appropriate action against the passengeollowing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s cognisance of COVID-19 rules violation during a mid-air marriage on a SpiceJet chartered flight, the airline today announcers.
A SpiceJet Boeing 737 was chartered by a travel agent in Madurai on May 23, 2021 for a group of passengers for a joy ride after their wedding” a statement from the airline officials stated.
According the SpiceJet Airline, the client was clearly briefed on COVID-19 guidelines to be followed and approval was granted them based on its after wedding joy ride status, contrary to the wedding proper that eventually held aboard.
The airline clarified that the agent and the guest passengers were briefed in detail, both in writing as well as verbally, on social distancing and safety norms to be followed as per COVID guidelines both at the airport and onboard the aircraft throughout the journey.
“The group was repeatedly briefed on the safety norms to be followed by the operating cabin crew and advised to follow the protocols laid down by DGCA including restrictions on photography and videography. Despite repeated requests and reminders, the passengers did not follow COVID-19 guidelines and the airline is taking appropriate action as per rules,” it added.
India’s aviation watchdog, DGCA today initiated an investigation over reports of mid-air marriage ceremony and has ordered taking the crew off duty.
The DGCA has asked for registering a complaint against all passengers who were part of the onboard marriage celebration and violated COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
“Crew members are off rostered. Airline directed to lodge a complaint against those not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour with relevant authorities,” a DGCA official told ANI.
It will be recalled that a couple tied the knot on-board a chartered flight from Madurai, Tamil Nadu with their relatives and guests on the same flight on Sunday.
SpiceJet aircraft was reported to have had booked a charter flight by a Madurai-based private person for the mid-air marriage ceremony but authorities were not informed of the marriage on board.
“A SpiceJet chartered flight was booked yesterday from Madurai. Airport Authority officials unaware of the mid-air marriage ceremony,” said Madurai Airport Director, S Senthil Valavan.
Earlier, DGCA had issued guidelines for air travellers and clearly mentioned to de-board passengers who are wearing mask incorrectly from the plane.
“Upon boarding the aircraft, in case any passenger does not adhere to wearing of mask properly even after repeated warnings, he/she should be de-boarded, if need be, before departure. In case, any passenger onboard an aircraft refuses to wear a mask or violates the COVID-19 protocol for passengers even after repeated warnings, during the course of the flight, such passenger may be treated as ‘unruly passenger’,” its guideline said.
The DGCA sought a full report from the airline company and the Airport Authority regarding the said incident.
