IndiGo fined Rs. 1.2 crore after viral video shows fliers eating on tarmac

The country's aviation regulator, DGCA, also took cognizance of the video circulating on social media and ordered Mumbai Airport to pay Rs. 30 lakhs for the violation.

On Tuesday, the Centre issued show-cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai Airport over the video of passengers eating on the tarmac.

IndiGo has been asked to pay the amount - the highest penalty to be imposed on a carrier recently - within 30 days, the Bureau Of Civil Aviation Security, or BCAS, said in a statement.

Calling it a "violation of apron discipline", the DGCA said, "It came to the notice of the DGCA through social media that on January 15, passengers of two IndiGo flights were on the apron for a considerable period at the CSMI Airport, Mumbai (MIAL).

"This is in violation of Para 5 of DGCA Air Safety circular 04 of 2007 which directs all agencies working at the airport not to permit walking on an active apron. The presence of passengers on the apron for a considerable period is in violation of apron discipline as it jeopardised the safety of the passengers and the aircraft."

The regulator further said that the response it received on January 17 from MIAL was unsatisfactory as it showed that the airport "failed to adhere to the safety requirements as laid down in the Air Safety Circular 04 of 2007".

"DGCA, in view of the above violation, has taken enforcement action against MIAL and imposed a penalty of ₹ 30 lakh vide order dated 17.01.2024 under relevant regulations," it added.

"Based on these violations and non-compliance with DGCA directives, show-cause notices were issued to SpiceJet and Air India on January 2... Both the airlines were imposed a fine of ₹ 30 lakh each for the violation and non-compliance under rule 133A of Aircraft Rules, 1937," it added.