Air India
Pilots' association would go on strike if the NRI MP refuses to
apologize
New Delhi, April 09, 2008
Surinder Malhotra
NRI Abdul Wahab, MP, Muslim League Rajya Sabha member, prominent
Dubai-based businessman wanted to move a privilege motion in parliament
against the pilot, Captain Rajat Rana, after being forced off
a Dubai-bound Indian flight April 7, 2008 at the Kozhikode airport
in Kerala.
Air India Pilots' association (ICPA) President, Kapil Raina said,
"Whatever the captain has done is within his right. The Honorable
MP has violated the Indian Aircraft rules of 1973. Flight was
delayed and passengers were putting pressure. The captain only
went to ask why the delay, meanwhile the MP forcefully entered
the cockpit which is against safety and has become a security
threat for us."
According to New Delhi, based Pilots (requested not to be named)
told press media that MP PV Abdul Wahab had reportedly arrived
after the departure time of the flight. We accused the airport
manager for delaying the aircraft and also held the MP responsible
for it. The pilots would go on strike if the MP refused to apologize
Earlier, NRI MP Abdul Wahab has threatened to move a privilege
motion in parliament against an Air India pilot after he was forced
to disembark from a plane in Kozhikode.
MP Abdul Wahab said:
- He was forced to get off the Kozhikode-Kochi flight after
an argument with pilot Rajat Rana.
- He had reached the airport on time at 7.55am for 8.55am flight,
but was delayed while being taken from the VIP lounge at the
airport to the aircraft.
- The flight, which was coming from Bahrain, was delayed by
around 20 minutes. When I was taken from the VIP lounge to the
aircraft, it became a little late
- The captain starter an argument with the my duty manager
who was accompanying me.
- When I tried to intervene the pilot, he became upset and said
it was none of his business
- Captain Rajat Rana refused to fly and insisted that he would
not take off if the MP was on board.
NRI MP Abdul Wahab got off the plane and was put on another Air
India flight. He decided to move a privilege motion in parliament
against an Air India pilot