An investigation is underway after a Sri Lankan Airlines pilot locked his co-pilot out of the cockpit mid-flight.
The incident occurred on September 21, 2024, on flight UL 607 which was flying from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo.
According to reports, the female co-pilot left the cockpit to use the restroom towards the end of the 11-hour flight.
A report from media outlet Gulf News said the captain was not happy that the female co-pilot stepped out of the cockpit without arranging another crew member to accompany him, in line with standard operating procedures.
When the co-pilot returned to the cockpit and found it locked, she reportedly knocked repeatedly but the captain refused to let her back in. Cabin crew eventually helped persuade the captain to let the co-pilot back in the cockpit, using the A330 aircraft’s internal communication system.
Despite the onboard drama, the co-pilot was allowed back in and the flight landed safely.
Sri Lanka’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), initiated an investigation and the airline said that it is fully cooperating, adding that the captain had been grounded, pending the outcome of an investigation.