Shaken, daughter traumatised: Passenger assaulted by Air India Express pilot at Delhi Airport

New Delhi: A SpiceJet passenger alleged that he was assaulted by an Air India Express pilot at Delhi airport on Friday after he objected to the pilot cutting the boarding queue. The pilot was travelling as a passenger on the SpiceJet flight.

In a series of posts on X, Ankit Dewan said that he and his family, including his four-month-old daughte,r were guided to use the security check-in line that the staff uses as they were travelling with a baby in a stroller.

"The staff was cutting the queue ahead of me. On calling them out, Capt. Virender, who himself was doing the same thing, asked me if I was anpadh (uneducated), and couldn't read the signs that said this entry was for staff," he said, adding that this led to a verbal scuffle.

"Not able to exercise restraint, the AIX pilot proceeded to physically assault me, leaving me bloody. The blood in the photograph (first comment) on his shirt is also mine," he added, sharing a photo with blood on his face.

He further said his seven-year-old daughter saw the assault and remains traumatised and scared by it.

Air India Express responds

Taking note of the incident that took place at Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Air India Express said it "unequivocally condemns such behaviour".

In a statement, the airline said, "We are aware of an incident at Delhi Airport involving one of our employees, who was travelling as a passenger on another airline, and had an altercation with another passenger."

It further said that the pilot has been removed from official duties with immediate effect, pending investigation. The airline also assured Dhawan that appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated against its employee based on the findings of the inquiry.

"Air India Express upholds the highest standards of conduct and professionalism, and remains committed to ensuring that its employees act responsibly at all times," it said.

Passenger's serious allegations

Dhawan said he was shaken by the incident and asked how the airline allowed a pilot like him to fly.  "If they can't keep their cool in a scuffle, can they be trusted with the lives of hundreds of people in the sky?" he asked

He alleged that he was forced to write a letter stating that he will not pursue this matter further. "It was either write that letter, or miss my flight and throw the 1.2 lakhs holiday bookings down the drain," he claimed.

He also slammed the Delhi airport's authorities for combining staff entry with passengers carrying infants and creating chaos at a sensitive security area.

Tagging the Delhi Police's official handle he asked, "Why can't I file a complaint after coming back? Must I sacrifice my money too, to seek justice? Will the CCTV footage disappear in the 2 days till I make it back to Delhi?"