Privileges of MPs at airports to stay: Govt

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

MPs and other VIPs will continue to enjoy facilities such as a reserved lounge at international and domestic airports, besides being served tea, coffee and water for free at airports.

In a reply to a query by AIADMK MP P Nagarajan — whether there is any proposal to curtail privileges and protocols with respect to VIP passengers at airports — Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju said “no”.

As per Raju, facilities being provided to the VIPs and MPs include free access to terminal building and visitors’ gallery and airport entry pass to personal staff of MPs. “One airport official is also designated as protocol officer to ensure that these facilities/courtesies are provided to MPs,” he said. The protocol is to be followed by all concerned, including private airports and airlines.

Responding to a question whether the government had received complaints regarding non-adherence to the protocol at certain airports and airlines during the last three years, Raju said there were complaints mainly about non-cooperation, discourtesy and misbehaviour on the part of the airlines staff and security personnel at airports.

“Complaints against the airport staff are referred to the airport directors concerned who are asked to inquire into the matter and take remedial measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” he said.

Complaints against the airlines are referred to the civil aviation regulator — the Director General of Civil Aviation — who takes up the matter with the airlines concerned to ensure compliance of the protocol arrangements.

The action taken is also intimated to the MPs concerned. “Suitable instructions are issued from time to time to all concerned so as to ensure that the courtesies are extended to MPs,” he said.

“Security arrangements at airports for VIPs in the country are elaborate, adequate and effective,” he added.