Govt officials can now fly private airlines

The monopoly of public sector airlines on government business has ended with officials being allowed to fly with private airlines and advised to make bookings in advance to take advantage of discounted fares.
"The air travel on official account would now be permissible on airlines, other than Indian airlines and Air India, provided the criteria of selection of alternative airline is based on better and more competitive prices," an order issued by Department of Expenditure said.
Apart from official business, this order is also applicable to Leave Travel Concession. The decision to end the monopoly of state-owned airlines in domestic and international travel has been taken to bring down the government expenditure.
The order said the officers should also try to make their bookings in advance to the extent possible so that benefits of discounted fares can be obtained.
28/04/06 PTI/Rediff

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline