Moscow-bound flight from Delhi returns mid-way over COVID-19 fears

Aviation regulator Director-General of Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into a "serious lapse" after an Air India flight from Delhi to Moscow on Saturday returned midway after its pilot was found COVID-19 infected. In its initial probe, the DGCA has found that this was a 'serious lapse' by the state run-carrier Air India. "This was a serious lapse and the regulator has asked Air India (AI) to file a full report of the incident, and DGCA official is investigating the incident," a DGCA source told ANI. The Airbus A320NEO plane, which had departed from New Delhi as a ferry flight (no passengers) for Moscow to bring back stranded Indians was instructed to return to the national capital after it was airborne for 2 hours and 30 minutes. The flight had had crossed Pakistan, Afghanistan and was on its way north from Bukhara in Uzbekistan and about to cross Uzbekistan airspace when the crew received information that one of the non-operating pilots was COVID-19 positive. The flight AI-1945 returned to Delhi at about 12.30 pm and the crew has been quarantined as per norms.<br/>