Viral Couple Gets Married On An Airplane To Avoid COVID-19 Restrictions

JAKARTA - India's civil aviation regulator has begun investigating a viral video on social media showing a married couple on a plane surrounded by their family and friends.

In the video on social media, guests and photographers are seen huddled around the two brides who were on the plane, and most were not wearing masks.

India is in the midst of the second wave of deadly coronavirus infections. In the state of Tamil Nadu, where in-flight weddings take place, temples and meeting rooms are closed and weddings and other social events have a maximum attendance limit of 50 people.

An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that SpiceJet had been asked to file a complaint against those who breached safety guidelines while its crew had been recorded.

"We will conduct a detailed investigation and based on the results will take further action," the official said.

A SpiceJet spokesman said the plane was chartered by a travel agent in Madurai on May 23 for a flight after the wedding. He said the airline was taking action against those who violated COVID security rules.

Agents and guests are briefed in detail on social distance and safety norms in accordance with COVID guidelines and civil aviation authority rules.

"Despite repeated requests and reminders, passengers do not follow COVID guidelines and airlines take appropriate action," the spokesman said.

Rakesh-Dakshina from Madurai, who rented a plane for two hours and got married in the wedding sky. Family members who flew from Madurai to Bangalore after getting married by SpiceJet flight from Bangalore to Madurai. #COVID19India #lockdown @TV9Telugu #weddingrestrictions pic.twitter.com/9nDyn3MM4n

— DONTHU RAMESH (@DonthuRamesh) May 23, 2021