Within hours of the announcement, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/air-india-scripts-new-era-in-fuel-conservation-no-additional-fuel-214568">Air India</a> on Tuesday put on hold the appointment of senior official Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November last year, as regional director of the northern region.

The flying licence of Kathpalia, who had served as director operations, was suspended after he failed pre-flight alcohol tests.

"Capt. Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019", consequent to the retirement of incumbent Pankaj Kumar, Air India said in an order.

In a flip-flop, the airline issued another order saying that the appointment has been kept in abeyance till further orders.

Sources in the civil aviation ministry said Air India decided to keep the appointment order in abeyance following directions from Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Soon after the issuance of the appointment order, which drew flak from pilots' body ICPA, an Air India spokesperson issued a statement saying that the appointment of Kathpalia as director of northern region was "according to law".

The position of regional director is equivalent to executive director, a post he held earlier, the spokesperson had said.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents pilots flying Air India's narrow body aircraft, "strongly" condemned the appointment.

"Top officials are bending backwards to elevate a tainted official. He's been made in-charge of NR (Northern Region) where he will be able to intimidate people who had given statements in police enquiry. Disciplinary action against commanders come under Regional Director-NR. It's ethically wrong," it said in a statement.

A person who has broken the law and has charge sheet pending against him cannot take disciplinary action against other employees, the statement added.

On November 11 last year, Kathpalia tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to fly Air India's New Delhi-London flight.

The next day, aviation regulator DGCA suspended his flying licence for three years, and on November 13, the ministry issued an order removing him from the position of director of operations.

A week later, he was posted as an executive director by Air India.

In February 2017, when Kathpalia was working at the position of executive director of operations, his flying licence was suspended for three months on charges of skipping a pre-flight alcohol test.

After being removed from the post of executive director of operations, in March 2018, he was appointed as director of operations.

Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him/her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight.

Within hours of the announcement, Air India on Tuesday put on hold the appointment of senior official Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November last year, as regional director of the northern region.

Within hours of the announcement, Air India on Tuesday put on hold the appointment of senior official Arvind Kathpalia, whose flying licence was suspended in November last year, as regional director of the northern region. The flying licence of Kathpalia, who had served as director operations, was suspended after he failed pre-flight alcohol tests. "Capt. Arvind Kathpalia will take over the charge of the post of Regional Director (Northern Region) with effect from May 1, 2019", consequent to the retirement of incumbent Pankaj Kumar, Air India said in an order. In a flip-flop, the airline issued another order saying that the appointment has been kept in abeyance till further orders. Sources in the civil aviation ministry said Air India decided to keep the appointment order in abeyance following directions from Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu. Soon after the issuance of the appointment order, which drew flak from pilots' body ICPA, an Air India spokesperson issued a statement saying that the appointment of Kathpalia as director of northern region was "according to law". The position of regional director is equivalent to executive director, a post he held earlier, the spokesperson had said. The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which represents pilots flying Air India's narrow body aircraft, "strongly" condemned the appointment. "Top officials are bending backwards to elevate a tainted official. He's been made in-charge of NR (Northern Region) where he will be able to intimidate people who had given statements in police enquiry. Disciplinary action against commanders come under Regional Director-NR. It's ethically wrong," it said in a statement. A person who has broken the law and has charge sheet pending against him cannot take disciplinary action against other employees, the statement added. On November 11 last year, Kathpalia tested positive for alcohol in two breath analyser (BA) tests before he was to fly Air India's New Delhi-London flight. The next day, aviation regulator DGCA suspended his flying licence for three years, and on November 13, the ministry issued an order removing him from the position of director of operations. A week later, he was posted as an executive director by Air India. In February 2017, when Kathpalia was working at the position of executive director of operations, his flying licence was suspended for three months on charges of skipping a pre-flight alcohol test. After being removed from the post of executive director of operations, in March 2018, he was appointed as director of operations. Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him/her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight.

Air India holds appointment of pilot as regional director

Air India's Chief Vigilance Officer will carry out a detailed inquiry into the incident involving Captain Arvind Kathpalia, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the impact of Kathpalia's action on passenger's safety will also be investigated, along with the administrative and disciplinary aspects of his conduct.

Air India Captain Arvind Kathpalia was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-director-of-operations-arvind-kathpalia-sacked-177079">removed from the post of air carrier's Director of Operations</a> on Tuesday. Kathpalia's dismissal came a day after his licence was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday.&nbsp;

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Chief Vigilance Officer of Air India to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident of 11 Nov &amp; on administrative &amp; disciplinary aspects of the conduct of Captain Arvind Kathpalia &amp; impact of his action on passenger's safety.He has been relieved from the charge of Dir Operations
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062346926673289216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

On Sunday, Kathpalia made headlines for failing two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi.&nbsp;

This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests, news agency Reuters reported.

Air India's Chief Vigilance Officer will carry out a detailed inquiry into the incident involving Captain Arvind Kathpalia, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the impact of Kathpalia's action on passenger's safety will also be investigated, along with the administrative and disciplinary aspects of his conduct.

Air India's Chief Vigilance Officer will carry out a detailed inquiry into the incident involving Captain Arvind Kathpalia, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the impact of Kathpalia's action on passenger's safety will also be investigated, along with the administrative and disciplinary aspects of his conduct. Air India Captain Arvind Kathpalia was removed from the post of air carrier's Director of Operations on Tuesday. Kathpalia's dismissal came a day after his licence was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday. Chief Vigilance Officer of Air India to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident of 11 Nov & on administrative & disciplinary aspects of the conduct of Captain Arvind Kathpalia & impact of his action on passenger's safety.He has been relieved from the charge of Dir Operations — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × "The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. On Sunday, Kathpalia made headlines for failing two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi. This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests, news agency Reuters reported.

Drunk Air India pilot case: Air India's Chief Vigilance Officer to conduct detail inquiry

Air India Captain, Arvind Kathpalia, has been removed as the Director of Operations, Air India. Kathpalia's dismissal comes <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dgca-suspends-air-india-operations-directors-pilot-license-for-3-years-176895">a day after his licence was revoked</a> by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday.&nbsp;

"The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

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Air India's Captain Arvind Kathpalia relieved from the charge of Director Operations with immediate effect. He was suspended for 3 months after he failed the Breath Analyser (BA) Test before his flight. <a href="https://t.co/670Erh6UNG">pic.twitter.com/670Erh6UNG</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062302735285018624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Sunday, Kathpalia made headlines for failing two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi.&nbsp;

This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests, news agency Reuters reported.

Kathpalia, who was on the airline's board, told Reuters the DGCA directive "is a rule and so it is meant to be followed".

Between 2015-2017, 132 pilots in India failed a breathalyzer test during the mandatory pre-flight examination, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu told parliament in August.

Of these, 112 pilots were first-time offenders and their pilot licence was suspended for three months. Fifteen pilots were repeat offenders and had their license suspended for three years, Prabhu said.

 
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Air India Captain, Arvind Kathpalia, has been removed as the Director of Operations, Air India. Kathpalia's dismissal comes a day after his licence was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday.

Air India Captain, Arvind Kathpalia, has been removed as the Director of Operations, Air India. Kathpalia's dismissal comes a day after his licence was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday. "The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. Air India's Captain Arvind Kathpalia relieved from the charge of Director Operations with immediate effect. He was suspended for 3 months after he failed the Breath Analyser (BA) Test before his flight. pic.twitter.com/670Erh6UNG — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × On Sunday, Kathpalia made headlines for failing two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi. This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests, news agency Reuters reported. Kathpalia, who was on the airline's board, told Reuters the DGCA directive "is a rule and so it is meant to be followed". Between 2015-2017, 132 pilots in India failed a breathalyzer test during the mandatory pre-flight examination, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu told parliament in August. Of these, 112 pilots were first-time offenders and their pilot licence was suspended for three months. Fifteen pilots were repeat offenders and had their license suspended for three years, Prabhu said.

Drunk Air India pilot: Arvind Kathpalia removed from Director of Operations post