Despite being in constant losses, Air India has been giving free tickets to different categories of people. In response to Aaj Tak’s RTI, Air India said that this airline company is giving free tickets to three categories of people till now.
In recent times, the name of Air India company came in the news many times. Because Air India is running in loss. Recently, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh said that financial bids can come by September 15 from the interested entities in bidding for Air India. Air India has a debt of more than 60 thousand crores. But the debt-ridden Air India provides free travel tickets for life to three categories of people. This has been revealed in an RTI, which was filed by Aaj Tak.
Air India merged with Indian Airlines in 2007. Since then, this company has never been able to take advantage. In the last financial year also, Air India had a loss of 10 thousand crores.
Despite being in constant losses, Air India has been giving free tickets to different categories of people. In response to Aaj Tak’s RTI, Air India said that this airline company is giving free tickets to three categories of people so far – 1. Bharat Ratna award winners; 2. Golden Tribute Card Holders (Living Members of the Constituent Assembly of India) and 3. Ex-Andaman Freedom Fighters or their Widow.
Air India had decided to give a lifetime free air travel pass to the Bharat Ratna winner with a view to honor it. He told that Bharat Ratna winner Amartya Sen has taken the benefit of free tickets 21 times so far.
Similarly, Air India had issued a golden card titled ‘Golden Tribute Card’ to the surviving members of the Constituent Assembly of India on the 50th anniversary of Independence Day. According to the report, TM Kaliyanan, the last living member of the Constituent Assembly of India, died in May 2021.
Apart from this, ex-Andaman Freedom Fighters or their widows are given free tickets once a year to go from Kolkata to Port Blair (one way or return) in economy class with all their companions. However, no such facility has been given to Freedom Fighters so far. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs had told Aaj Tak in 2019 that pension is being given to 10,483 Freedom Fighters. Live TV
