Aviation minister apologises for 'inconveniencing' passengers to accommodate Rijiju

July 02, 2015 18:17

The BJP government goes on damage control mode over the deboarding to passengers to accommodate a minister

Union aviation minister PA Gajapathi Raju said the government apologised to all passengers who were inconvenienced. "We will avoid such incidents in the future and will ensure such incidents don't recur, but it's too small a issue to pull the PM into," Raju said.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju was at the centre of a controversy for delaying an Air India flight from Leh to Delhi for about an hour and for offloading three of its passengers, including a child, allegedly to accommodate him and his aide.

According to sources, the aircraft doors were shut for takeoff on June 24 but the flight did not depart at its scheduled time as Rijiju, along with his PA, had not boarded the flight.

When Rijiju finally arrived, three passengers were allegedly deboarded to accommodate the minister and his PA, sources said.

While an Air India spokesman said it has sought more details on the incident, Rijiju claimed it was not a "delay" as the departure of the flight was "preponed" due to technical reasons.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Adani, Tata eye bigger pie in Mumbai power distribution

As Mumbai's real estate and electric vehicle penetration grows, two of the city's private power distribution companies, Adani Electricity and Tata Power, are eyeing a bigger business pie, particularly betting on high-value customers....

This Is The New Blockbuster In India

While things remain bleak for Bollywood at the box office, Hollywood's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has brought quick relief to exhibitors and distributors.

Mountain of cash recovered in raid on Jh'khand minister's secy's aide

The premises are alleged to be of the domestic help of Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam's personal secretary Sanjiv Lal.

181 VCs, academicians accuse Rahul of spreading falsehood

The selection has been completely based on academic and administrative prowess and with a vision to take universities ahead, they said.

Nadikar Review: Tovino Thomas Aces

The film's focus lies in humanising a larger-than-life star and breaking down his celebrity, aimed at a simplistic takedown of the 'superstar' myth, observes Arjun Menon.