IndiGo and Mumbai Airport Land Hefty Fines for Tarmac Dinner Fiasco

New Delhi: IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been slapped with fines following the circulation of a viral video showing passengers dining on the tarmac due to a delayed and diverted flight.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) jointly imposed fines on both entities, citing violations of safety norms.

The DGCA has directed IndiGo and Mumbai Airport to pay a cumulative fine of Rs 30 lakh, emphasizing the serious nature of the incident. Meanwhile, BCAS has taken a more stringent stance, imposing a fine of Rs 1.2 crore on IndiGo and Rs 60 lakh on Mumbai airport, highlighting the gravity of the safety breach.

The video that triggered the regulatory action depicted passengers seated on the runway, having dinner, after facing significant delays and eventual flight diversion. Authorities expressed concern over the extended presence of passengers on an “active apron,” emphasizing that such a situation could pose risks to both individuals and aircraft.

The DGCA underscored the violation of established norms, stressing the potential jeopardy to safety inherent in the passengers’ extended stay on the runway. The regulatory bodies’ collective response reflects their commitment to maintaining strict adherence to aviation safety protocols.