British Airways deplanes crying 3-yr-old Indian and family, DGCA orders probe
An IAS officer complained his family and he were discriminated on racial lines. He said his 3-yr-old son started to cry once they boarded. This irked the crew who were rude and then they were deplaned
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has directed the aviation regulator to obtain a detailed report from British Airways over an alleged incident of an Indian passenger and his family being asked to de-board the airline's flight in the UK.
"I have directed the DGCA to obtain detailed report from British Airways on the issue," Prabhu tweeted.
The development comes after an Indian passenger, identified as AP Pathak a Joint Secretary level officer in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, complained that he and his family were discriminated against on racial lines. He was accompanied by his wife Manjubala Pathak and child Puranjay Prakash.
The alleged incident took place on July 23, when the family was travelling from London to Berlin on a British Airways flight BA8495.
Pathak has also informed the Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj about the incident.
The development comes after an Indian passenger, identified as AP Pathak a Joint Secretary level officer in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, complained that he and his family were discriminated against on racial lines. He was accompanied by his wife Manjubala Pathak and child Puranjay Prakash
"After the security announcement, my wife fastened the seatbelt for my child. But he must have felt uncomfortable, so he started to cry. He was slightly hungry too. My wife then brought him to her seat and tried to pacify the child when the crew member scolded the three-year old and asked him to return to his seat,” said Pathak.
“A crew member shouted at my child and said I will throw you and your family out of the window,” added Pathak.
According to Pathak, another Indian family seated behind them "who tried to console the child" was also asked to de-board.
"The plane returned to the airport and the security personnel threatened us, "If you don't come out, we will handcuff you. We were thrown out of the airport."
The airline said that the alleged incident is under investigation. “We are investigating the complaint and will liaise with our customer,” the airline said in a statement on Thursday
"I have contacted my lawyers in India and London, they are working on it. If we don't get an apology from the British Airways, and the compensation for the same we will sue British Airways."
"It was totally a racist behaviour," Pathak emphasised.
On its part, the airline said that the alleged incident is under investigation. "We are investigating the complaint and will liaise with our customer," the airline said in a statement on Thursday.
"It is a safety requirement for all airlines that passengers are seated and have their seat belt fastened for take-off."
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