Air India de-rosters Captain & crew member of a Bengaluru-Delhi flight after heated argument on-board

Air India has de-rostered the Captain and a crew member of a Bengaluru-Delhi flight after they got into a heated argument in public view on board the plane on Monday. This reportedly led to flight delay by over an hour. The Captain had allegedly asked the crew member to wash his lunch box and this led to the argument.

An Air India official confirmed the incident and said an investigation in this regard has already been launched. The airline has issued summons to the crew members for questioning.

The matter has been also been reported to the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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Earlier, Air India pilot Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November 2018 after he failed pre-flight alcohol tests, was appointed  Regional Director (Northern Region) in the airline, said an official document.

"Consequent to the retirement of Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Regional Director (Northern Region) after the close of the working hours of 30th April, 2019, Capt. Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019," said an Air India notification.

On November 11 last year, Kathpalia had tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to fly Air India's New Delhi-London flight. 

The next day, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended his flying licence for three years, and on November 13, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an order to remove him from the position of Director, Operations. 

However, a week later, he was posted as Executive Director by the Airline.

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