Airlines ban Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad; Air India cancels his ticket to Pune

An association of airlines reportedly has banned Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who assaulted an employee of Air India. Gaikwad he will not be allowed on flights "with immediate effect," said a statement.

The member of parliament from Osmanabad in Maharashtra was scheduled to board an Air India flight from Delhi to Pune on 24 March but his ticked has been cancelled by the Air India, reported PTI.

Air India had earlier blacklisted Gaikward following his unruly behaviour. First, he assaulted a 60-year-old Air India staffer on 23 March and later he boasted about the incident.

"Air India and Federation of Indian Airlines, which has IndiGo, Jet, SpiceJet and GoAiras its members, have decided to ban this MP from flying on all our flights with immediate effect. We believe that exemplary action should be taken in such incidents to protect employee morale and public safety," said Ujjwal Dey of FIA in a joint AI-FIA statement.
"AI and the member airlines of the FIA condemn the assault on an AI staff member by a passenger who happens to be an MP+ on March 23, 2017. The airlines demand that strict action be taken against the MP by law enforcement agencies. We believe that an assault on any one of our employees is an assault on all of us and on ordinary law abiding citizens of our country who work hard to earn a living. In the interest of the safety and security of our colleagues and other customers, we also propose the promulgation of a 'no fly' list which shall include the names of all unruly passengers. Such customers are not welcome on our carriers and we seek the support of the government and security agencies to enforce such a 'no-fly' list," it added.

Earlier today, Gaikwad has said that no one can stop him from boarding a flight to Pune. He had asserted that he has a ticket of an Air India flight and that he didn't intend to change his plans.

"I have the tickets, they can't blacklist me. I will board the Delhi-Pune Air India flight this evening. How can they not allow me?" he said.

Gaikwad unapologetic about the incident and has dared Delhi police to arrest him. Two FIRs were registered against him yesterday.

"I will not apologise. It was not my fault, it was his fault. He should apologise. First ask him to apologise then we will see," Gaikwad told the media.

"Let the Delhi Police arrest me. Uddhav ji will decide the course of action," he added.