Indian airlines plan to establish a ‘no-fly’ blacklist for unruly passengers following an Indian MP’s violent meltdown on a flight.
Air India is seeking support from the Federation of Indian Airlines, which includes members IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Go Air, to auromatically ground passengers involved in air rage incidents.
The latest incident has sparked outrage in the country and a police investigation.
Member of Parliament Ravindra Gaikwad is accused of battering an airline employee with his shoe more than 20 times after he demanded a business class seat.
The flight in question was all-economy.
After refusing to leave the plane on landing in New Delhi, Gaikwad repeatedly struck a 60-year-old shift manager sent to calm him down.
Part of the attack was captured on video.
"When I told him what he was asking for wasn’t possible, he became abusive and started using foul language. God save our country if this is the culture and behaviour of our MPs," the shift manager told Asian News International.
Gaikwad, a MP for Shiv Sena, which is part of Prime Minister Modi’s ruling coalition, remained unrepentant.
Nevertheless Air India cancelled his return ticket and filed a criminal complaint with police, assuring all staff they would get full support from the company in cases of abusive behaviour.
Five more Indian airlines have also banned Gaikwad from flying with them, forcing him to return to Mumbai by train.
