gross and inexcusable error
Seems a bit of overstatement.
Embarrassing to be sure, and one of those things that fit into "how did you get that wrong?" but let's consider this:
- nobody got hurt
- a few extra pesos spent on fuel (maybe a few extra pesos spent for a landing at a place they don't have an arrangement with?)
- pax got to their destination a little late, which can happen with a weather delay, or a divert due to weather ...
This is a mistake that didn't get anyone hurt.
Yeah, the chief pilot needs to sit down with the crew and go over just how one manages to get to the wrong place with all of the help available nowadays to not get lost. Some time in the penalty box probably due.
This isn't the first crew that ever did that.
(EDIT: latest report is that they took off without clearance and without a flight plan. If true, then it's no surprise if they got sacked. The company can't have their pilots doing that).