Airlines tenders apology to Kalam

“We have tendered a formal apology to Kalam and we sincerely hope he will fly with us again,” the airline said in a statement. The apology came a day after the airline maintained that there can be no exception to security frisking of its passengers. On Tuesday, the issue created a furore in Rajya Sabha.

“Continental Airlines apologises to Kalam for any misunderstanding and/or inconvenience related to the security screening on April 21,” the statement said. “Our intention was never to offend Kalam or the sentiments of the people of India. Continental Airlines takes great pride and is honoured to have flown a respectable leader such as Kalam,” it said.

Cutting across party lines, MPs had demanded action for insulting Kalam who admitted on Tuesday that he was asked to remove his footwear before he was allowed to board a Newark-bound flight. The government had later registered an FIR against the “staff concerned.”