New Delhi, December 14
Struggling Bollywood actress, distant nephews can fly free. It seems that Dr Vishwapati Trivedi, joint managing director, Air India, truly has a universe-sized family when it comes to handing over free tickets. Trivedi, generously funded by the taxpayer, issued more than 100 tickets to his family during his tenure as Indian Airlines chief.
However, the Civil Aviation Ministry has taken a less benign view - instructions have been issued that all free tickets and upgrades in the merged carrier will have to be cleared by the ministry. Trivedi’s freebie bonanza for what is officially described as “family’’ was contrary to all rules and commercial practices followed by airlines the world over. Under the rules employees are allowed to claim between two to seven free tickets annually depending upon their seniority. These free tickets are not against
confirmed seats. Trivedi’s “family members’’ of course travelled on confirmed seats.
After Trivedi’s transgressions came to light the Civil Aviation Ministry ordered an informal inquiry and then promptly proceeded to do what the government excels in - wresting discretionary control. Instead of the airline deciding on the basis of commercial reasons now the babus at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan will get a casting vote on who flies free aboard Air India.
Airlines also issue free tickets to what is called CIP-commercially important passengers. Says a senior ministry official: “How Trivedi’s people qualified for free flights, one wonders.”
Interestingly, for all his talk of making Air India accountable after some recent horrific passenger experiences, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has taken no action against Trivedi.
