63 SpiceJet pilots suspended for flying beyond duty period

NEW DELHI: Sixty-three pilots of SpiceJet were suspended as they were found to be flying beyond their flying duty period, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

“During Surveillance and subsequent scrutiny of records, it has been revealed that 63 pilots of SpiceJet had operated flights exceeding flight duty period as laid down in civil aviation requirements Section J Part III, Issue-II,” minister of state for aviation Jayant Sinha said in a written reply.

Pilots who have exceeded flight duty period more than once have been suspended for a period of 15 days, he said.

“Warnings have been issued to the pilots who have exceeded flight duty period only once.” The suspension happened about five months ago, a senior DGCA official said, calling it a routine process.

“In case of rules not being followed, pilots are warned first. They are suspended for a brief period in the second instance and further action is taken in the case of third violation,” said the official from the aviation regulator.