'Politicians on flight are equal to others on-board'

Hyderabad, April 7 : Politicians, when they fly, should keep in mind that they are equal to others on-board and must follow instructions by the airlines operator, said well-known aviation historian P. Anuradha Reddy on Friday.

She said a member of Parliament or any other politician is no different from others on-board.

Though the ban imposed by Air India on Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad has been lifted with his apology for assaulting the airline's staff member last month, Reddy feels this is a lesson for all politicians.

"The politicians who travel at the cost of public, should keep in mind that when they misbehave with an airline employee, they are disturbing the duty of a professional organisation," she told IANS.

"People don't realise that on flight the pilot, the co-pilot supported by the crew are final authority on anything and are responsible for safety of the aircraft and all passengers," said Reddy, author of the book 'Aviation in the Hyderabad Dominions'.

She hailed the firm stand taken by Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju in backing Air India.

Stating that Air India had got a good Chairman and Managing Director in Ashwani Lohani, Reddy said he should be allowed to carry on his work and there should be no political interference.

Reddy blamed the interference by the elected politicians for the present condition of Air India. 

"It's not the same Air India that JRD Tata gave to the nation. It's important that the airlines is allowed to be operated professionally and should not be interfered with politically. That is what will bring Air India back to the kind of position it once had on world aviation platform," she added.