Air India lifts flying ban on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad

The Civil Aviation Ministry had written to the national carrier asking it to revoke the restriction with immediate effect.

Air India lifted the ban on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad from flying with the airline, after the Civil Aviation Ministry wrote to the national carrier asking it to revoke the restriction with immediate effect
The airline said Gaikwad had “conveyed his regrets” for the “unfortunate incident” in a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on April 6.

“In view of the apology tendered by Mr. Gaikwad and undertaking of good conduct given by him, AI and other airlines were advised [by the ministry] to lift the ban,” Air India said.

The Sena leader had earlier said he hit the Air India employee 25 times with his sandal because he was flown in the economy class despite booking a business class seat for his flight from Pune to Delhi. However, Air India had said the plane he had chosen to fly on was economy-only, and that he had refused to take a different flight.

It was not clear if five other airlines which had imposed a similar ban on Gaikwad too would also lift the restrictions.