On December 30, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating an incident in which a SpiceJet flight destined for Delhi took off from Rajkot, Gujarat, without the necessary approval from the Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The planes have been suspended awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
“The SpiceJet flight SJ3703 [Rajkot-Delhi] took off from Rajkot without ATC clearance. The crew is being off-rostered pending investigation,” said an official.
For further action, the Rajkot Airport officials have filed a thorough report to the Airports Authority of India and the DGCA.
The flight had already taken off when the ATC identified the problem and contacted the pilot, who explained that it had happened by accident and apologized.
The pilots have been pulled off duty pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the airline.
