ISLAMABAD: SpiceJet, an Indian low-cost airline, fired two of its pilots after they allegedly consumed coffee and pastries inside the cockpit during a snack break that could have gone disastrously wrong if one of the hot drinks spilled.
An image of an uncovered cup with the airline’s logo placed dangerously close to the control levers inside the cockpit sparked outrage in India and online. The pilots, whose faces are not visible in the photo, were also holding gujiyas, a sweet fried pastry traditionally eaten during the Hindu festival Holi held on March 8 this year. According to a SpiceJet spokesperson, both pilots have been removed from the roster pending an investigation.
According to the spokesperson, SpiceJet has a strict policy (regarding) the consumption of food inside the cockpit, to which all flight crew adheres. Following the completion of the investigation, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Shakti Lumba, a retired pilot and former head of operations for Indian carrier IndiGo, said the pilots’ “feel-good social media photo-op” was “immature” and “undesirable,” especially given that they are responsible for the aircraft and its passengers’ safety.
He told CNN that the behaviour was completely inexplicable. All pilots know the hazards of spilled liquids in the cockpit, and most company policies and aviation regulations prohibit placing any foods or liquids on the central pedestal console. Spilling piping hot drinks on it could cause technical equipment to overheat or cause the system to shut down.
Last year, the budget carrier was involved in several incidents, prompting the aviation regulator to launch several investigations.
Last May, a SpiceJet plane’s autopilot failed, resulting in severe turbulence and multiple onboard injuries. The regulator also ordered the carrier’s operational flights to be cut in half for eight weeks after it was involved in at least eight technical malfunctions, CNN affiliate News 18 reported in July 2022.
