A passenger aboard Akasa Air flight QP 1128 was caught smoking inside the aircraft lavatory, violating aviation safety regulations and endangering fellow travelers. The airline has filed an official complaint with the Airport police.
According to the complaint, Kritika (29), a cabin crew member, reported that Shubhankar Sharma, a passenger seated in 11B, was found smoking inside lavatory ‘D’ without authorization during the Delhi-Mumbai flight.
Kritika, who had earlier served on flight QP 1127 from Mumbai to Delhi, was also assigned duty on flight QP 1128, which departed from Delhi at 4:00 PM. She was accompanied by fellow crew members Jami Qureshi, Vaishnavi Kakde, and Deepshikha Bhaumik.
At around 5:30 PM, while the flight was mid-air, crew member Jami Qureshi noticed the smoke detector alarm going off in lavatory ‘D’. Upon checking, smoke was seen emanating from inside. Jami knocked on the door, and moments later, a passenger emerged. Upon questioning, he admitted to smoking inside the lavatory.
When Kritika inquired about the cigarette, the passenger produced a green lighter, which she confiscated. His boarding pass confirmed his identity as Shubhankar Sharma, seated in 11B. The incident was promptly reported to the flight captain, Pankaj Nivas.
Following airline protocol, the crew issued a Passenger Notification Warning Card and an Unruly Passenger Report, obtaining Sharma’s signature on both documents.
The flight landed in Mumbai at 6:20 PM, where the security team (IIF) was informed. Sharma was handed over to airport police for further investigation.
An FIR has been registered against him for breaching airline safety regulations. Authorities are expected to take strict action under civil aviation laws to ensure passenger safety.