In the aftermath of the incident where passengers, awaiting their delayed flight, sat on the tarmac and consumed food, IndiGo and Mumbai Airport have been directed to pay fines of Rs 1.2 crore and Rs 90 lakh, respectively. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) were responsible for levying these penalties, marking the highest amount IndiGo has had to pay recently.
BCAS imposed a fine of Rs 1.2 crore on IndiGo and Rs 60 lakh on Mumbai airport, while DGCA mandated the airport to pay Rs 30 lakh. The DGCA emphasized that the prolonged presence of passengers on an "active apron" contravened established norms and posed potential risks to individuals and aircraft safety. The incident unfolded with passengers of IndiGo flight 6E 2195 from Goa to Delhi, who, frustrated by the delay and subsequent diversion to Mumbai due to fog, ventured onto the tarmac.
Additionally, DGCA imposed fines on Air India and SpiceJet for violating regulations related to scheduling pilots trained for low visibility conditions (CAT III trained). Both airlines were instructed to pay Rs 30 lakh each by the DGCA.
BCAS highlighted that IndiGo allowed passengers from flight 6E 2195 to disembark on the tarmac, where they consumed food and "intermingled" with others, creating movements to and from the adjacent apron control building. IndiGo and Mumbai Airport had previously received show-cause notices from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, prompting an investigation into the January 15 incident.
The BCAS noted that IndiGo failed to report the incident until prompted by the bureau, revealing the airline's awareness of the situation before the flight departed from Goa. The BCAS criticized IndiGo for not considering the passengers' growing discontent and the time required for the arrival of a fresh crew. Furthermore, the airline did not request a contact stand from the airport operator to enhance the facilitation of the "harassed passengers."
The DGCA criticized Mumbai Airport for its failure to maintain discipline in the tarmac area, emphasizing that no action was taken to prevent passenger movement. The airport's characterization of the incident as "business as usual" reflected a "casual approach towards the safety" of passengers, as per the DGCA's assessment.
