New Delhi: It is the Maharaja's way of saying Jai Jawan. Air India has decided to upgrade gallantry award winners to business class on its domestic flights. While the decorated soldiers or ex-servicemen will be given economy class boarding cards as per their tickets, they will be upgraded at the boarding fate subject to availability of seats in business. "We have taken this decision with immediate effect for Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra winners.
We are proud of our soldiers and ai chief Ashwini Lohani felt this is the least we can do to honour them," said a senior official. To avail of the upgrade, the decorated soldiers will need to submit a copy of their identity card at the check-in counter. This facility will be only for the soldiers and not the family members accompanying them. "They will be upgraded to business class on domestic sectors at the boarding gate, subject to availability of seats, after closing of the counters.
Since the upgrade will happen at that point when we will know availability of seats in business, the decorated soldiers holding economy tickets will not be entitled for the business lounge facility," said the official. While honouring the soldiers, AI's move also makes commercial sense as it will draw retired personnel also to the airline. The Maharaja has drawn up big plans increase its domestic market share as IndiGo is the number airline in terms of passengers flown within India, followed by Jet. SpiceJet is now snapping at the heels of AI in terms of domestic market share as the low cost carrier augments its fleet.
03/06/16 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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We are proud of our soldiers and ai chief Ashwini Lohani felt this is the least we can do to honour them," said a senior official. To avail of the upgrade, the decorated soldiers will need to submit a copy of their identity card at the check-in counter. This facility will be only for the soldiers and not the family members accompanying them. "They will be upgraded to business class on domestic sectors at the boarding gate, subject to availability of seats, after closing of the counters.
Since the upgrade will happen at that point when we will know availability of seats in business, the decorated soldiers holding economy tickets will not be entitled for the business lounge facility," said the official. While honouring the soldiers, AI's move also makes commercial sense as it will draw retired personnel also to the airline. The Maharaja has drawn up big plans increase its domestic market share as IndiGo is the number airline in terms of passengers flown within India, followed by Jet. SpiceJet is now snapping at the heels of AI in terms of domestic market share as the low cost carrier augments its fleet.
03/06/16 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
