AI flies mantri’s domestic help business class

Mumbai: Air India recently banned passenger upgrades to end that free jump from economy to business class for its employees, directors, frequent fliers and the influential lot. On Wednesday, however, the airline’s chairman and managing director’s office—which had issued the ban—had to upgrade a 34-year-old woman from economy to business class on a Mumbai-London flight.She happened to be a minister’s domestic helper and the orders to upgrade her came from the ministry of civil aviation, officials said on Thursday.
When Air India put a ban on travel class upgrade last month, one question on everyone’s minds was whether the diktat would be applicable to politicians. In the month since the ban has been enforced, it has become clear that the rule is applicable only to employees and passengers with no political clout.
Anita More, the minister’s domestic help who had booked a low-fare economy class ticket on the Mumbai-London AI flight 131, was upgraded to business class on Wednesday on instructions from the ministry. She was also not charged for 12 kg of excess baggage. And before the flight left at 2.30 am, AI ground staff even filled out her immigration form since she could not read or write English. The flight attendants on board were instructed to do the same for her on arrival in London.
12/06/09 Manju V/Times of India

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Categories: Air India - International Jun 2009, Foreign Jun 2009, NACIL Jun 2009