Supermodel Defends Husband After Flight Outburst and Prison Sentence
The wife of a British executive, recently sentenced to prison for threatening a flight attendant, has publicly defended him, attributing his behavior to mental health issues. Salman Iftikhar received a prison sentence of 15 months for making abusive and threatening remarks to Virgin Atlantic flight attendant Angie Walsh during a flight in February 2023. His wife, Abeer Rizvi, made her comments on social media shortly after the court ruling, suggesting that mental health struggles contributed to her husband’s actions.
On February 7, 2023, Iftikhar, who was traveling with his wife and three children from London to Lahore, exhibited disruptive behavior while consuming champagne during the flight’s meal service. As reported, he became aggressive towards the cabin crew and directed a series of profane threats towards Walsh, including remarks about her safety upon arrival in Lahore.
Walsh, who has been a flight attendant for Virgin Atlantic for 37 years, described the incident as traumatic and stated in a victim impact statement that it left her feeling broken. “Never in my entire career flying for 37 years have I not been sure what to do,” she said. This incident forced her to take 14 months off work due to the emotional toll it took on her.
During the court hearing at Isleworth Crown Court, Iftikhar admitted to the threats against Walsh but denied harassment allegations related to a male flight attendant. Despite the gravity of his actions, he was initially allowed to leave the flight without police intervention in Pakistan. His arrest followed on March 16, 2024, at his home in Iver, England, where he resided in a property valued at approximately $1.2 million.
The incident had significant repercussions not only for Iftikhar but also for the company he founded, Staffing Match, which faced bankruptcy after accumulating debts exceeding $22.8 million following his arrest.
In her defense, Rizvi emphasized the importance of understanding mental health issues, stating on her Instagram Story, “Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there’s pain you don’t see.” She called for compassion and understanding before judging her husband’s actions.
In response to the incident, Virgin Atlantic reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of its customers and crew, stating, “We take a zero-tolerance approach to any disruptive or abusive behaviour on board our aircraft.” The airline expressed gratitude for Walsh’s bravery during the court proceedings and confirmed its ongoing support for her.
As of now, Rizvi has not made further public comments regarding her husband’s imprisonment or the impact it has had on their family. The case has drawn attention to the broader issues of mental health and the challenges faced by airline staff in managing disruptive passengers.
