DGCA Pulls Up SpiceJet Over Mid-Air Wedding, Off-Rosters Crew, 'Guests' Also To Face Action

Taking exemption on the 'mid-air' wedding on a charted flight in which COVID-19 norms for air passengers were violated, the DGCA has pulled up private carrier SpiceJet.

On Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) off-rostered the crew of a SpiceJet flight in which a mid-air wedding took place in Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

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After the video and images of mid-air wedding in which some 160 guests had participated violation of COVID-19 protocols went viral, the district administration has also launched a probe into the matter.

Probe on

Madurai Collector Dr Aneesh Sekhar said a preliminary enquiry has been initiated into the matter based on the video footage being circulated in social media.

"Appropriate action would be taken if there was any COVID-19 violation," Sekhar told PTI.

According to reports, the mid-air wedding was organized to circumvent the COVID-19 restrictions, under which only 20 guests are allowed at marriages.

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The wedding party had booked the flight claiming to be for a two-hour joyride post their wedding.

But after the flight was airborne the couple tied the knot and the guests were seen standing extremely close to each other.

Rakesh-Dakshina from Madurai, who rented a plane for two hours and got married in the wedding sky. Family members who flew from Madurai to Bangalore after getting married by SpiceJet flight from Bangalore to Madurai. #COVID19India #lockdown @TV9Telugu #weddingrestrictions pic.twitter.com/9nDyn3MM4n

¡ª DONTHU RAMESH (@DonthuRamesh) May 23, 2021

A DGCA official said SpiceJet has been directed to lodge a complaint with the relevant authorities against those people who did not follow the COVID-19 norms inside the flight.

Strict action will be taken

He also said that the DGCA "will take strict action" after it completes its probe into this matter.

Meanwhile, an airline spokesperson said, "A SpiceJet Boeing 737 was chartered by a travel agent in Madurai on May 23, 2021 for a group of passengers for a joy ride post their wedding."

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"The client was clearly briefed on Covid guidelines to be followed and denied permission for any activity to be performed on board. The approval for this flight was taken as a joy ride for the wedding group," he said.

The spokesperson added the agent and guest passengers were briefed in detail, both in writing as well as verbally, on social distancing and safety norms to be followed according to the Covid guidelines, both at the airport and onboard the aircraft throughout the journey.

"The group was repeatedly briefed on the safety norms to be followed by the operating cabin crew and advised to follow the protocols laid down by the DGCA, including restrictions on photography and videography."

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"Despite repeated requests and reminders, the passengers did not follow the guidelines and the airline is taking appropriate action as per rules," he said.

In March this year, the DGCA had issued guidelines for air travelers and had warned that passengers who do not wear their masks "properly" despite repeated warnings.

The DGCA had also directed airlines to treat a passenger as "unruly" in case the person violates the protocols, which means they could end up on the no-fly list.