Russia's second largest airline Transaero on Friday told the country's head doctor Gennady Onishchenko not to use its services in the future.
Onishchenko, who heads Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, earlier criticized Transaero for its poor response to the massive disruption of flights from Moscow's Domodedovo Airport.
Thousands of passengers were stranded at Moscow airports following an ice storm that hit the entire territory of Central Russia last weekend. Hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed as severe freezing rain caused serious power outages. Some 20,000 passengers were affected by the weather.
"The Transaero staff asks Mr. Onishchenko not to use the services of the airline, the professional and human dignity of whose employees he insulted," the airline said in a statement.
Transaero also said it will sue Onishchenko over his statements.
Rospotrebnadzor launched 11 administrative cases against Transaero over the company's failure to provide information about delays, as well as other services required, including drinks and hot meals, to passengers.
Earlier Onishchenko said the operation of Transaero, S7, Aeroflot and Ural Airlines during and after the freezing rain had caused the angriest responses and the most complaints from passengers.
The Russian Prosecutor General's Office said Wednesday it had launched legal proceedings against Transaero and Urals-based Orenair.
MOSCOW, December 31 (RIA Novosti)
