Following the alarming threat made by a drunk passenger towards a flight attendant, the model spouse comes to the defense of his distress, claiming his actions were fueled by "pain".
In a series of recent events, Abeer Iftikhar, a businesswoman whose company, Core Labour Supply, has entered administration with a debt of nearly $23 million, found herself at the centre of a storm. This was not due to her business troubles, however, but rather her husband Salman Iftikhar's behaviour on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
Salman Iftikhar was berated by flight attendant Angie Walsh for his abusive and threatening conduct, which included racial harassment and threats of violence. As a result, he was sentenced to 15 months in jail.
Abeer Iftikhar took to social media to defend her husband, framing his actions as a result of unseen mental health issues. She urged compassion and understanding, stating, "Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there’s pain you don’t see. Before judging, try understanding. Be kind. Be human."
However, public opinion on her defence was divided but largely critical. The serious threats and racial insults made by Salman Iftikhar on a public flight provoked widespread condemnation. Netizens considered Abeer Iftikhar's defence as tone-deaf and misplaced.
Virgin Atlantic, on the other hand, stood firmly behind Angie Walsh throughout the court proceedings. The airline takes a zero-tolerance approach to any disruptive or abusive behaviour on board their aircraft, and they publicly supported their flight attendant, emphasising safety and security, and committing to prosecuting unacceptable behaviour.
The collapse of Abeer Iftikhar's business, arrest, and the destruction of her husband's public image served as a long-overdue reckoning for the couple. The incident provoked discussion around accountability for violent threats versus understanding mental health, with Abeer Rizvi's calls for kindness contrasted against widespread condemnation of Salman Iftikhar's actions.
Meanwhile, Salman Iftikhar has remained publicly silent since his sentencing.
[1] BBC News. (2022). Businesswoman's firm goes into administration with £17m debt. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61671934
[2] The Guardian. (2022). Virgin Atlantic flight attendant attacked by passenger jailed for 15 months. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/aug/10/virgin-atlantic-flight-attendant-attacked-by-passenger-jailed-for-15-months
[3] The Independent. (2022). Abeer Iftikhar defends husband who jailed for threatening Virgin Atlantic flight attendant. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/abeer-iftikhar-husband-salman-jailed-virgin-atlantic-flight-attendant-b2150379.html
[4] Sky News. (2022). Virgin Atlantic flight attendant abused by passenger jailed for 15 months. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/virgin-atlantic-flight-attendant-abused-by-passenger-jailed-for-15-months-12637229
- The incident involving Salman Iftikhar, a businessman whose company recently faced administration, made headlines in the general news and entertainment sectors, as it also involved a fracas on a Virgin Atlantic flight, resulting in his jail sentence for abusive and harassing behavior.
- As the mental-health conversation continued to dominate health-and-wellness discourse, Abeer Iftikhar, the wife of the jailed businessman, expressed her support and empathy for his unseen mental health issues on social media, but public opinion was mostly critical of her excusing his threatening and racist actions on a public flight.
- While Salman Iftikhar remains silent post-sentencing, Virgin Atlantic, advocates for a zero-tolerance policy against disruptive and abusive conduct on its aircraft, and it publicly commended flight attendant Angie Walsh throughout the court proceedings, emphasizing the importance of safety and security for passengers.
