Air India, the national carrier, which shall soon be going in private hands, has taken off non-vegetarian food from its menu for economy class passengers on all its domestic flights. However, the airline will continue serving non-vegetarian for its international flights and for business and first class passengers on the domestic routes.
According to Air India officials, this move is a cost-cutting measure as the airline has lately been crippled by ever-increasing debt necessitating certain austerity measures.
This is the latest step of major cost-cutting taken by the airlines in the recent past. Six months ago, Air India had stopped serving non-vegetarian food to economy class passengers, only on flights which had a duration of fewer than 90 minutes. Also, last month, the airlines had decided to not serve salads and carry fewer magazines onboard, in an attempt to reduce cabin weight, considering that a lighter plane would burn lesser fuel.
While there is no ascertain news from the government about its privatisation.