Kochi, India – The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has criticized Emirates Airline for the manner in which the pilot and other officials handled Dubai-Kochi flight that suffered air turbulence and left 18 passengers and one crew member injured.

A report prepared by S. Durrairaj, enquiry officer, regional controller of air safety, southern region, said that prompt communication between the captain of the aircraft and the air traffic controller at Kochi was lacking during the incident.

The report said airline officials were trying to suppress information and had mentioned only one passenger was injured while the total number of people injured included one crew member and 18 passengers.

The enquiry also found that the flight officials failed to inform the passengers at the right time to use seat belts when the aircraft suffered air turbulence.