Indonesian Transport Ministry gives Batik Air a stern warning after pilots caught sleeping in mid-flight

JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia's commercial airline, Batik Air, has received a stern warning from the Indonesian Transport Ministry following an incident where both the pilot and co-pilot were asleep during a flight from Southeast Sulawesi to Jakarta recently.

The ministry’s civil aviation director-general M. Kristi Endah Murni, in a statement, stated a thorough investigation would ensue, with sanctions to be determined based on the findings of the investigative team.

"A flight inspector will be dispatched to address the Safety Issue Resolution, pinpointing the root cause and recommending necessary actions to the airline operator and its regulator," she stated.

The initial report from the National Transportation Safety Committee revealed that both pilots, who are now grounded following internal procedures, were asleep for about 28 minutes during Batik Air flight BTK6723 on Jan 25.

Despite some navigation errors, the plane, with 153 passengers and four flight attendants, completed the entire flight without any harm.

Kristi stressed that airlines must prioritise the timing and quality of rest for pilots and flight crew, as it significantly affects their alertness during flights.

"We will also scrutinise night flight operations in Indonesia concerning fatigue risk management for Batik Air and all other airline operators," she added. - Bernama