Sources said the decision to lift the ban “with immediate effect” follows a meeting between Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani on Thursday evening to resolve the impasse over the ban. This order came merely hours after Air India reportedly stalled an attempt by Gaikwad to book a ticket. Air India had barred Gaikwad from flying after March 23 when the MP admitted to having assaulted an airline employee following an argument over seating. On Thursday, the MP from Osmanabad in Maharashtra wrote a letter to Minister Raju expressing his “regrets” over the “unfortunate incident” on Air India Flight AI-852 from Pune to Delhi. The government move, asking for revocation of the ban, came despite the Air India management on Thursday telling the aviation ministry that Gaikwad must apologise to the airline’s employees.

Source: Indian Express April 07, 2017 15:33 UTC