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In-flight 'Concert' Prompts Jet Airways Suspensions


FILE - Indian Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam performed at The Asian Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, Oct. 26, 2010. Five Jet Airways crew were suspended after allowing Nigam to sing on their flight.
FILE - Indian Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam performed at The Asian Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, Oct. 26, 2010. Five Jet Airways crew were suspended after allowing Nigam to sing on their flight.

Five members of the crew for a chartered flight from the Indian cities of Jodhpur to Mumbai have been suspended by Jet Airways for allowing a popular Bollywood singer to perform using the in-flight announcement system.

Jet Airways confirmed the suspensions after video of the January 4 performance by Sonu Nigam showed up online.

A spokesman said all cabin crew members from the flight have been taken off flight duty for an investigation and "corrective training to reinforce strict adherence to operating procedures."

Reports say passengers requested that Nigam sing for them once they realized he was on the flight. He obliged, singing two of his popular numbers over the intercom system. Passengers posted video of the performance on social media, where it went viral.

Government officials who became aware of the incident asked the airline to take action.

The incident has drawn strong arguments online both for and against the action.

Supporters of the airline say misuse of the announcement system puts passengers at risk, while others say the impromptu concert only gave passengers a bit of fun.

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