SpiceJet pilots suspended after video of crew's mid-air Holi dance routine goes viral

Airline staff entertained passengers with dancing at 35,000ft



Aviation authority said on board safety could have been put at risk

SpiceJet faces being grounded after Holi video posted on YouTube



Two pilots have been suspended and an airline has been threatened with being grounded after its cabin crew were videoed dancing in the aisles on board a flight during the Holi celebrations.

SpiceJet has landed itself in hot water with the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after clips of the two-and-a-half-minute routine at 35,000ft were posted on YouTube.

In the three-minute video, crew on board a Goa-Bangalore flight can be seen dancing to Bollywood hit Balam Pichkari in the air while pilots take photos on their mobile phones. The moves, to celebrate the Hindu festival Holi, were reportedly professionally choreographed.

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Mid-air entertainment: A SpiceJet cabin crew member dances in the aisle as a pilot can be seen taking photos

Dance routine: SpiceJet cabin crew entertain passengers with a mid-air Holi dance on board a flight

Passengers can also be seen in the two-and-a-half-minute video clapping along to the music.

However, the DGCA yesterday issued a show-cause notice to SpiceJet, saying the dancing on board the SG-876 flight endangered aircraft safety and created an 'unruly environment', and asked why its licence should not be suspended.



The DGCA notice states: 'Cabin crew acts had drawn the attention of other crew on duty, thus reducing their preparedness/alertness.

'The frequent movement of the dancing crew may have affected the aircraft's centre of gravity during flight and created turbulence.'

Dance routine: Passengers can be heard on the video clapping and cheering to the routine by SpiceJet staff

Hot water: The aviation authority has threatened SpiceJet with being grounded after the video went viral

'Passengers dancing in the aisle creates an unruly environment,' a DGCA official added.



A spokesman for SpiceJet said it had put on extra staff for these flights, adding: 'The cockpit was manned at all time as per DGCA regulations that govern the situation when one pilot is outside for example to use the lavatory.

'The dance was professionally choreographed and was Holi delight for passengers much like it is done by several airlines around the world to celebrate a special occasion. The entire dance sequence lasted 2.5 minutes.'

The airline has 15 days to reply to the notice: 'Failing which it will be assumed they have nothing to say in their defence and suitable action will be taken against them.'



