Testing times: Covid positive cabin crew flew on AI Express flight

NEW DELHI: A Covid positive cabin crew of Air India Express was rostered for duty on a Delhi-Madurai sector flight last month. While the airline says test report came after the flight had taken off, some insiders claim the same had come before the aircraft operated from Delhi and a crew shortage may have led to overlooking the report.

"Covid tests are not mandatory for crew before operating domestic flights. The crew member took a test on November 12 as she was to operate an international flight on November 14. On November 13, she was to operate Delhi-Madurai IX 012. The airline received her result on email from the lab at 10.28 am on November 13, whereas the flight to Madurai from Delhi took off at 9.55 am,” said an airline official.

Confirming this, AI Express spokesperson said the airline is “conducting a detailed investigation in this regard”.