"Extending all cooperation to investigations," says Air India
A passenger on our flight AI866 operating Mumbai-Delhi on June 24 behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers.
Representative image
NEW DELHI: After a passenger was arrested at the Delhi Airport for allegedly defecating and urinating in the aircraft, Air India on Tuesday said that the airline is extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigations into the case.
Air India, in an official statement issued on Tuesday, said that the airline follows a zero-tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour.
A man travelling on a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight was arrested at the airport here for allegedly defecating and urinating in the aircraft, officials said on Monday.
"A passenger on our flight AI866 operating Mumbai-Delhi on June 24 behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers. In doing their best to manage the situation in the circumstances, the crew immediately secluded the passenger for the rest of the flight and issued a warning. The passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing in Delhi," the airline said.
It further said that a police complaint (FIR) was registered subsequently, as was the matter reported to the regulator.
"Air India follows a zero-tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour. We are extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigations," the statement added. The accused passenger is a cook working in Africa.
According to the FIR filed by the flight captain at Delhi's IGI Airport police station, on June 24, Air India's Flight AIC 866 from Mumbai to Delhi was in the air where a passenger, on seat no. 17F, defecated, urinated and spat in the aircraft on row 9 DEF of the aircraft. The FIR further stated that this misconduct was spotted by the cabin crew and, subsequently, a verbal warning was issued by the cabin supervisor of the flight.
Later, the flight captain was also informed of the misconduct.
Further, according to the FIR filed after the incident, a message was sent to the company immediately and airport security was requested to escort the passenger on arrival. According to the complaint, fellow passengers were incensed and agitated over the misconduct and as the flight touched down at the Delhi airport, the head of Air India security attended to and escorted the accused passenger to the IGI Airport police station.
He was travelling to Mumbai on Air India flight AIC 866 on June 24. Speaking to ANI, a senior offical of Delhi Police said, "On the complaint of the flight captain, Delhi Police registered a case -- u/s 294/510 -- at IGI police station and arrested the accused passenger. We produced him before a court which granted him bail. Further investigation is underway."
