AIX Connect removed its manager from duty following the incident of a flight taking off without Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot last week.
Thawaarchand Gehlot. (Facebook)
Senior officials of budget airline AIX Connect — formerly AirAsia India — met Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Monday, 31 July, to apprise him about the situation and the steps taken after the Governor was prevented from boarding a flight, ostensibly as he was late.
According to PTI, the airlines also apologised for the incident
AIX Connect removed its manager from duty at Bengaluru airport following the incident of a flight taking off without Governor Gehlot last week.
On 27 July, after the AIX Connect flight from Bengaluru to Hyderabad took off without the Governor over an alleged delay in reporting, his office lodged a complaint at the Bengaluru airport police station.
AIX Connect is part of the Air India Group.
The airline’s airport manager at the time of the incident was immediately removed from duty and an investigation is going on. On 28 July, the airline expressed regret over the incident.
Following the incident, the Governor’s Protocol Officer M Venugopal lodged the complaint over a “breach of protocol”.
As per the complaint, Gehlot was supposed to fly to Hyderabad on the AIX Connect flight at 2.05 pm on 27 July.
“Accordingly, the Governor left Raj Bhavan at 1.10 pm and reached the VIP Lounge of Terminal-1 at 1.35 pm. By that time, the luggage belonging to the Governor was loaded onto the plane,” it said.
The Governor reached the ladder of the plane at 2.06 pm.
“However, AirAsia (AIX Connect) employee Arif denied entry to the Governor saying that there was a delay in arrival, though the door of the plane was still open,” the complaint alleged.
“Besides this, the Governor’s luggage was unloaded in which 10 minutes were lost. The Governor was still standing near the ladder and the door of the plane was still open. Yet, the Governor was ignored and insulted by not allowing him inside the flight,” Venugopal had said.
Gehlot returned to the VIP Lounge and took another flight after 90 minutes to reach Hyderabad.
“This incident has deeply hurt the Governor, who is the first citizen of Karnataka. By obstructing him from discharging his official duty, his protocol has been breached. We request you to initiate legal action against (AIX Connect Station Manager) Zico Soares, Arif and AirAsia (AIX Connect),” as per the complaint.
Regretting the incident, AIX Connect, on 28 July, also said, “An investigation is being conducted and appropriate action will be taken”.
(With PTI inputs)
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