Air India CEO To Staff Over 'Pee-Gate': "Even If Matter Settled..."

Air India has faced criticism over the handling of the incident in November when a business class passenger on a flight from New York to Delhi urinated on a co-passenger.

Air India crew should report any improper behaviour on aircraft to authorities at the earliest even if the matter appears to have been settled, Chief Executive Campbell Wilson has told staff in the wake of widespread outrage over a passenger urinating on another mid-flight.

"If an incident on our aircraft involves improper behaviour of such magnitude, we must report it to authorities at the earliest opportunity, even if we genuinely believe that the matter has been settled between the parties involved," Mr Wilson said in an internal email.

"We must also be clear on the standard of behaviour that is expected on our aircraft and take firm, decisive and timely action against those who do not comply," he said, adding, "The repulsion felt by the affected passenger is totally understandable, and we share her distress."

Air India has faced criticism, including from the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), over its handling of the incident in November when a business class passenger on a flight from New York to Delhi unzipped and urinated on a co-passenger, an elderly woman.