Sunday Times 2
SpiceJet defends Holi jig
View(s):Low-cost carrier SpiceJet on Thursday defended its on-board entertainment routine that saw crew on eight flights perform a two-minute jig on Holi day.
Even so, it suspended the pilot and co-pilot who flew the Goa-Bangalore route on Monday for exiting the cockpit during the cabin crew’s performance as that was not part of the plan.
Stating that such routines were a common practice among international airlines for passenger entertainment, SpiceJet said it had deployed additional cabin crew and cabin crew managers on each of the flights to man the front and rear galleys during the two-and-a-half minute jig.
“While maybe a first in India, the activity is very similar to what is done by airlines… such as Southwest in the US, Virgin in Europe and Air Asia (to surprise passengers),” the airline said in a statement, adding that the videos for the same could be watched on YouTube.
The video of the SpiceJet performance – which shows several passengers clapping as the crew, carry out a coordinated dance – has since gone viral on the Internet.
The airline explained in the statement:
“We take safety very seriously – it is our first, second and third priority.”
© Daily Mail, London