Private airlines, including the no-frill ones, have been directed by the government to ensure that special privileges, like faster security clearances and lounge access, are given to MPs in line with what Air India has been providing so far.
While the protocol to accord such services to MPs have been in existence for over three years now, aviation regulator DGCA, in a fresh directive to all airlines, has pointed out that the airports and airlines were ‘not adhering to the guidelines on protocol norms and courtesy to be extended to Members of Parliament.’
Noting that a 2007 circular of Civil Aviation Ministry providing the guidelines and instructions in this regard, had only listed Air India, DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar also advised the Ministry ‘to review the order on protocol norms and courtesy for the Members of Parliament and include the names of other airlines companies including LCC (low-cost carriers)’.
While the protocol to accord such services to MPs have been in existence for over three years now, aviation regulator DGCA, in a fresh directive to all airlines, has pointed out that the airports and airlines were ‘not adhering to the guidelines on protocol norms and courtesy to be extended to Members of Parliament.’
Noting that a 2007 circular of Civil Aviation Ministry providing the guidelines and instructions in this regard, had only listed Air India, DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar also advised the Ministry ‘to review the order on protocol norms and courtesy for the Members of Parliament and include the names of other airlines companies including LCC (low-cost carriers)’.