Air India on Friday lifted the flight ban on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, nearly two weeks after he was barred from flying after he assaulted the national carrier’s staffer.
According to Air India sources, the ban was revoked after the airline received a letter from the civil aviation ministry to do so, despite the carrier’s demand for an “unconditional apology”.
Gaikwad had written a regret letter to the civil aviation minister on Thursday over the “unfortunate incident” but stopped short of tendering an apology to either the national carrier or to the staffer concerned.
However, even though Air India may soon allow him to fly, the police cases against him will not be withdrawn, reported Hindustan Times.
Meanwhile, private airlines, which were waiting for AI’s decision, will follow suit