Dr. A.P.J., the former President of India, was frisked by ground staff of American airliner Continental Airlines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on April 24, 2009. This is seen as a clear violation of protocol of India as former presidents, prime-ministers and the chief ministers are to be exempted from the security checks.
The former President had to go to Newark on Continental Airlines Flight CO 083.
Kalam was asked by security-personnel for a complete body check and remove his footwear.
But this created a lot of uproar in the Indian community and so, Airline minister of INDIA, Mr Praful Patel asked for an explanation for this act from the airline company. Continental Airlines defended this on July 22, 2009 and said in an apology that according to the airline rules, they have to frisk everyone and there is no relaxation for any VIP.
Moreover, according to the airline, both the countries ,INDIA and USA should reach a concensus for the airline rules which will be a good thing for the airlines of both the countries and so the incident will not be repeated again.
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