Letter to government's airline companies: give seats to MPs of their choice; VIP parking at the airport, priority check-in, and lounge access

After the privatization of Air India, the government is worried about the VIP treatment of MPs in airports and flights. The government has written a letter to all airlines, including Air India, in which it has been said to give special treatment to MPs. The government has asked all airlines, airport operators, and aviation security regulators to provide protocol, courtesy, and support to Members of Parliament (MPs) at the airport.

After Air India went into the hands of Tata, all other airlines in the country except Alliance Air are in private hands. Apart from this, the number of PPP airports in the country is also increasing rapidly.

MPs get priority in seat booking

In a letter dated September 21, 2021, written by the Union Aviation Ministry, it has been said that instructions have been issued from time to time to provide protocol, etiquette, and support to the MPs at the airport. There have been a few cases of negligence in respect of protocol and etiquette to Hon'ble Parliamentarians at airports. Due to this, the instructions are being reiterated and all concerned are requested to follow them properly.

This letter describes the protocol that Air India has to follow. However, this protocol was not for private airlines. According to the letter, MPs will have to give priority to seat booking. Apart from this, if the seat is not vacant, then if the booking is canceled, it will have to be given to the MP first.

The government asked to provide these facilities in the letter

Senior staff present at the airport have been asked to provide convenience and cooperation while checking in the MP.

The MP should be given the seat of his choice.

Try to reserve seats in the front row for MPs.

If an MP is about to travel on Air India, it should be informed in advance to the concerned airport authorities, so that proper arrangements can be made for them.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) and airport operators have also been asked to provide lounge facilities with free tea, coffee, and water to MPs.

VIP parking should be arranged for MPs. For this, the car parking pass of the car of the Parliament House should be validated.

A protocol officer should be appointed at all airports who will help in providing special facilities to the MPs.

CISF and airlines should coordinate among themselves so that MPs do not face any problem during security checking during check-in.

It is common for big personalities to get respect

In this case, an airline official said that famous people get VIP treatment by air travel and at the airport. But many people are not very famous and have to give information about their position or themselves. Such rules are made for such people so that they do not have to feel neglected.