The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), the outfit under the ministry of civil aviation overseeing commercial air travel in India, has not improved its stock by asking for the suspension of the crew of a Jet Airways chartered flight, which allowed playback singer Sonu Nigam to sing a couple of songs through the public address system at the request of passengers. Most will sympathise with the singer's feeling that the authorities showed a lack of common sense and appeared intolerant. He could have added that they lacked a sense of proportion and were devoid of a sense of humour. The DGCA's assertion that it would not allow any activity which poses a safety threat to passengers is a non sequitur. Singing a song through the public address system, when the aircraft is cruising and the seat belt sign is off, does not imply a security threat or lapse. Only dyed-in-the-wool bureaucrats would declare that anything not specifically permitted is disallowed and unsafe. It is so much better to say that anything that is not forbidden but seems risky should be avoided. No crew member, from the captain downward, whose own safety after all depends on the flight's overall safety, would allow any activity which is remotely risky. The practical reality is that air passengers are a high-earning lot and during the hour or more of a flight you could have their virtually undivided attention. This is an enormous marketing opportunity and whatever is inherently safe should be allowed - or at least not disallowed.
22/02/16 Business Standard
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22/02/16 Business Standard
