The
aviation ministry is reeling under pressure from political leaders who want ‘extra comfort’ while flying private airlines. Days after MPs like
Ravindra Gaikwad and
Diwakar Reddy have made headlines for alleged misbehaviour with airlines staff, the ministry is now planning to ensure the private airlines roll out the red carpet for the netas.
According to an Economic Times news report, the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has called all private airlines next Friday to discuss the "protocol" they should extend to netas,
It’s been a long standing demand coming from MPs and VIPs who want to be feel premium and privileged while flying on people’s money.
The news report further mentioned that the ministry has already sent a notice to private airlines and other stakeholders titled "protocol to be extended to VIPs in private airlines". The meeting scheduled is "scheduled to be held under the chairpersonship of the ministry's joint secretary
Usha Padhee on June 30..."
As per norm, MPs and VIPs mostly fly
Air India as they are entitled to Business Class travel. However for private carriers weren’t supposed to provide ‘extra’ privilege to netas. Some low cost carriers like Indigo and
Spicejet also don’t have business class in their flights. The ministry now plans to ask these carriers to reserve front row seats and subsidised meals for the political leaders when they fly.