Airlines flouting safety norms will have to shell out up to Rs 10 lakh fine

New Delhi: In a major step that would force airlines to both maintain their aircraft well and follow all existing passenger-friendly moves, the aviation ministry has come out with stiff penalties — with jail terms — for airline officials for not doing so. A notification issued last week stipulates that not following basic air safety norms would invite highest category of jail up to two years with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh if any airline flies an aircraft without the mandatory certificate of airworthiness.
Operating a flight without the minimum crew or with a pilot not rated for that plane would also fall in the highest category of violation and punishment. What’s more, airlines not reporting an incident or accident would invite action under this head only.
The notification says second category of offences like an airline brining a passenger to India without a valid passport or carrying passengers in unauthorised parts of an aircraft will invite a jail term for officials of up to a year with a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.
Apart from safety, the new rules piloted by the DGCA lays equal stress on passengers. All civil aviation requirements issued for them like for benefit of physically challenged passengers or for taking care of passengers of a long delayed flights have been put in the third strictest category that has a jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh.
24/07/09 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jul 2009