 "DGCA's action on SpiceJet is precautionary step: aviation minister")
Centre’s civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju Pusapati on Saturday said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had “heightened surveillance” of SpiceJet as a precautionary measure due to the financial stress faced by the airline.
The minister said “heightened surveillance is a result of safety consideration. It is a precautionary measure because of what the books are reflecting. There was apprehension that safety might not receive that priority it ought to because of the financial stress. We have to ensure that maintenance is not compromised and pilots do not fly beyond the mandatory duty time limits.”
However, no specific instances of safety violations in SpiceJet have been reported yet, he clarified.
The minister also ruled out government bailout for struggling airline. “We have not supported any airline yet. We cannot support any one airline. Then there will be questions why we are supporting X and not Y. They have been talking of investors for some time. We only hope that they (SpiceJet) continue to fly.”
In response to DGCA action and financial stress on the airline – “Whether it precipitates closure or some good and practical performance has to be seen. On our part, we would like the airline to perform, we would want connectivity to improve, we would not want a situation where passengers feel they are being taken for a ride.”
The minister denied that Canadian officials had met the government regarding taking back Bombardier planes flown by SpiceJet.
The minister said “heightened surveillance is a result of safety consideration. It is a precautionary measure because of what the books are reflecting. There was apprehension that safety might not receive that priority it ought to because of the financial stress. We have to ensure that maintenance is not compromised and pilots do not fly beyond the mandatory duty time limits.”
However, no specific instances of safety violations in SpiceJet have been reported yet, he clarified.
More From This Section
He added the directions issued by the DGCA to SpiceJet were not connected with the Federal Aviation Administration audit which is set to start on Monday. “I don’t think anybody has directed the DGCA to do this,'' he said.
The minister also ruled out government bailout for struggling airline. “We have not supported any airline yet. We cannot support any one airline. Then there will be questions why we are supporting X and not Y. They have been talking of investors for some time. We only hope that they (SpiceJet) continue to fly.”
In response to DGCA action and financial stress on the airline – “Whether it precipitates closure or some good and practical performance has to be seen. On our part, we would like the airline to perform, we would want connectivity to improve, we would not want a situation where passengers feel they are being taken for a ride.”
The minister denied that Canadian officials had met the government regarding taking back Bombardier planes flown by SpiceJet.