The airline said it would also formally address the queries raised in the show cause notice issued by the Indian authorities, which it said was received only on July 20.

The Indian government had reacted sharply Tuesday and also ordered an inquiry into the incident after it created waves in parliament.

'The frisking was absolutely unpardonable,' Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house. 'Action will be taken in accordance with the sentiments of the house.'

His statement came after members from across the political spectrum expressed outrage over the former president being subjected to a full body check and even asked to remove his footwear as he waited on the aerobridge of the Newark-bound flight at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

'Continental Airlines has been issued a showcause notice under section 11A of the Aircraft Act for wilful violation of the law,' Patel said. 'The frisking or action per se was absolutely wrong. The former president and other such dignitaries are exempt from such frisking.'