Image Source : ANI SpiceJet cancels Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad’s ticket

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad's plan to take a flight was once again thwarted on Saturday when private carrier SpiceJet cancelled his ticket that he had booked from Pune to Ahmedabad for April 3.

Gaikwad, who came under intense criticism after assaulting an Air India staffer last month, has been barred by several domestic airlines from traveling.

Gaikwad had booked a ticket from Pune to Ahmedabad SpiceJet flight (SG 524) for April 3 on which has now been cancelled, sources said.

On March 23, Gaikwad had repeatedly hit an Air India staffer with a sandal over not being given a business class seat despite having insisted on boarding an all-economy flight.

Following the incident, Air India along with four private airlines banned him from flying on their aircraft.

The domestic airlines' body Federation of India Airlines (FIA) has taken a "strong view" of the incident and accordingly taken a decision to bar the MP from flying on their network, FIA sources said.

Jet Airways and three budget carriers -- IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir -- are the members of the FIA.

Apart from Air India, IndiGo had cancelled Gaikwad's booking after the assault incident.

Earlier this week, Air India cancelled two tickets booked by the MP on Delhi-bound flights.

The Shiv Sena had filed a privilege motion in the Lok Sabha over airlines barring Gaikwad from flying.

MPs from the Shiv Sena had privately met Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan where Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju was also present.

Gaikwad kicked up a huge storm on social media after his video thrashing a senior Air India employee went viral. Laden with expletives, the video had come for some harsh reactions on both social media as well as from the political class.

The Sena MP claimed he was denied an executive class seat despite possessing a ticket for it. The airline, on the other hand, informed that it was an all-economy flight and Gaikwad’s team that was in touch with the airline was informed well in advance.

The Shiv Sena initially sought to distance itself from the issue saying the party did not subscribe to such acts, but later came out in support for its MP.

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