JOIN USGovt warns unruly passengers of severe consequences
After Air India, the four-member Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) on Saturday revoked the flying ban imposed on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad.
Meanwhile, to rein in unruly passengers, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said fliers should note that safety and security of passengers and crew is of paramount priority.
“Unruly/disruptive behaviour will result in severe consequences. This includes police action for a specific incident as well as being placed on a no-fly list,” Sinha tweeted.
He said the ministry is strengthening the rules so that a national no-fly list can be implemented and such incidents can be prevented and safety improved. On Gaikwad, he said the MP has apologised and provided an undertaking that such incidents will not repeat.
IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir and Jet Airways, which form the FIA, decided to lift the ban after Air India on Friday took the decision in favour of Gaikwad following his regret letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju over the assault on an airline staffer.
The FIA said its members are restoring the flying privileges to Gaikwad “under the assurance that our assets and colleagues shall be accorded the respect that they deserve for the hard work that they put in every day”.
Air India and other airlines barred the Shiv Sena MP from flying with them after he repeatedly slapped an Air India manager over seating arrangements. Though the ban has been lifted, the investigations into two cases filed by Air India against the MP would continue.
Sinha assured that police investigations regarding Gaikwad’s conduct on March 23 incident are underway and the law will take its own course.