Air India removes operations head AK Kathpalia from post

New Delhi, Mar 3: National carrier Air India has shunted out its controversial head of operations A K Kathpalia, replacing him with A K Govil in a top deck reshuffle announced on Friday.

Last month, aviation regulator DGCA had suspended Kathpalia's flying licence for three months for allegedly skipping the mandatory pre and post-flight alcohol test. Kathpalia, who is also a senior executive pilot at the airline, has been made as the new Executive Director for Special Projects, according to an official notification. Govil was earlier serving Air India as its ED, Inflight Services.

As part of the exercise, the national carrier has also replaced its ED, Training A S Soman with Amitabh Singh, who has been elevated to the post of executive director. Air India has its Central Training Establishment (CTE) in Hyderabad.

The CTE imparts training in various aspects of aviation. Soman will be the new ED for Inflight Safety at the airline's headquarters here, the official added.

PTI