Delhi-bound Spicejet flight takes-off from Rajkot without ATC clearance, probe ordered

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A Delhi-bound SpiceJet flight took off from Gujarat's Rajkot last week without the mandatory take-off permission from Air Traffic Control (ATC) putting at risk the lives of passengers.</p>
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India's aviation watchdog, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), launched a probe into the incident against SpiceJet pilots. "The incident happened on December 30, 2021, pilots had not taken mandatory take-off permission from ATC Rajkot. A detailed report has been sent to Airports Authority of India headquarters and the DGCA," the Rajkot Airport Director told ANI.</p>
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As per the flight schedule, SG-3703 was on time for taking off for Delhi but it was observed by ATC that without taking the mandatory permission for take-off, the pilots of the aircraft took off for Delhi.</p>
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"Through its communication, Rajkot ATC asked the pilots as to how you flew without take-off permission…The pilot in response apologised and said that there was a mistake. This conversation took place when the plane took off," a senior official of the Airport Authority of India told ANI.</p>
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As per Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), mandatory take-off permission is required for any aircraft from ATC before the flight takes off, whether the runway is secured or not or any other aircraft not arriving for an emergency.</p>
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Following the incident, the pilots of the airline company were put on "off-duty."</p>
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"Pilots have been off-rostered pending an inquiry," SpiceJet told ANI.</p>