NEW DELHI, Dec 14: A loader of IndiGo Airlines fell asleep in the cargo compartment of the Mumbai-Abu Dhabi flight. He was found safe and in good health on arrival in the capital city of the UAE and was sent back as a passenger in the same flight, Directorate General of the Civil Aviation (DGCA) sources said on Tuesday.
After the loading of baggage in the aircraft, one of the loaders of the private carrier fell asleep behind the baggage in the cargo compartment on Sunday’s flight, they said. The cargo door was closed and the loader woke up as the aircraft took off from the Mumbai airport, the officials informed.
After the aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates (UAE), a medical examination of the loader was conducted by Abu Dhabi authorities and his physical condition was found to be stable and normal, they said. After getting the requisite clearances from the authorities in Abu Dhabi, he was sent back to Mumbai as a passenger on the same aircraft, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials said.
The personnel of the airline involved in the incident have been off-rostered pending an investigation, they added. Asked about the matter, an IndiGo spokesperson said, “We are aware of the incident and the requisite authorities have been informed. The matter is under investigation.”
(Manas Dasgupta)