TDP MP faces probe for Vizag airport ruckus

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Friday ordered a probe into the abusive behaviour of TDP MP J C Diwakar Reddy at the Visakhapatnam airport on Thursday.

The move comes amid a no-fly ban on the MP, imposed by domestic carriers, citing unruly behaviour. Reddy had created a ruckus and abused staff at the IndiGo airlines counter on Thursday as they disallowed him from boarding a flight for arriving late.

Raju, also from the TDP, tweeted, “I will get the entire incident at Vizag airport enquired into to find out the exact details and ensure that lawful outcomes follow.”  The minister also denied reports that he had intervened to ensure Reddy was allowed to board the flight.

In a show of solidarity, IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, Vistara, GoAir and AirAsia India barred Reddy. GoAir said, “After careful consideration of the various issues and ramifications of the actions of Reddy, it has taken a decision of not accepting any further bookings of the said passenger.”

AirAsia India said it has barred Reddy, and that it supports the decision to impose a flying ban by fellow domestic airlines.

“We will support the decision taken by the industry with regard to the recent incident involving IndiGo staff. AirAsia India does not tolerate abusive or unruly behaviour by passengers, which puts the safety of other guests and crew members on board at risk,” it said.

“In support of fellow carriers, Vistara has also taken a decision to impose a flying ban on J C Diwakar Reddy,” Vistara said.

Last year, Reddy was involved in a similar incident when he reportedly vandalised the Air India office at Vijayawada’s Gannavaram airport after he missed the flight.

In March, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad repeatedly  slapped an Air India manager because his seat was changed from business to economy class.

The civil aviation ministry is working towards framing rules to create a no-fly list of offending passengers, who would receive a ban from three months to two years or more, for misconduct that could range from verbal abuse to murderous assault.