Jet Airways driver loses licence after airfield mishap

The Mumbai airport operator on Friday confiscated the licence of a Jet Airways airfield driver after his car hit two construction workers, injuring them. The incident took place close to the secondary runway around 5pm on Thursday when the vehicle was heading towards the airline’s cargo office.

The Mumbai airport operator on Friday confiscated the licence of a Jet Airways airfield driver after his car hit two construction workers, injuring them. The incident took place close to the secondary runway around 5pm on Thursday when the vehicle was heading towards the airline’s cargo office.

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“The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is conducting an inquiry into the matter. We have confiscated the driver’s licence,” said the MIAL spokesperson.

The injured labourers were rushed to Holy Spirit Hospital, Andheri, from where they were discharged late in the night. According to the DGCA’s preliminary findings, the driver was overworked. “It appears the driver had completed his work shift of 12 hours. He had to continue with the duty because the reliever was absent,” said a DGCA official, requesting anonymity.

“It is a serious issue if the accident was fatigue-driven,” added the DGCA official. The regulator is likely to probe whether the airline has spare manpower during such emergencies.

Airfield accidents is a big safety concern at busy metro airports such as Mumbai that caters to 500 four-wheelers comprising safety vehicles, catering vans, oil tankers and tow tractors.

The Jet Airways spokesperson did not respond to HT’s calls and a query sent over email.