VIPs at it again

Air India's reputation for punctuality, already in tatters, has got another blow with a chief minister and a minister delaying its flights in quick succession. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issues a monthly ranking of airlines on punctuality and Air India has consistently been at the bottom. In January the Civil Aviation Secretary ordered deductions from the salaries of employees reporting late for duty and delaying take-offs. “Flight delays are causing monetary losses,” read the order. “Accountability for delays has to be fixed.” Perhaps, not at the higher level. Delays are also caused by the shortage of pilots and cabin crew. Staff is not hired in time and in adequate number. 

The PMO has sought a report from Devendra Fadnavis and Kiren Rijiju for delaying the flights but this seems a routine follow-up aimed more at cooling the television channels’ outrage than part of any serious exercise to curtail the VIP culture. Politicians in power do not mind inconveniencing people because they know they will get away with it. Their parties/ governments explain away the situation. All is forgotten once the storm in the media dies down. If the Congress feels dismayed at the BJP leaders’ behavior, it may be reminded that in February its MP, Renuka Chowdhury, reportedly held back a flight in Hyderabad as she had gone shopping. 

Because of the VIP culture, political meddling and a non-professional approach in running the airline in a highly competitive environment Air India has accumulated huge losses. In 2013-14 its losses amounted to Rs 5,500 crore. The government has promised it a lifeline of Rs 30,000 crore at the taxpayers’ expense even as questions are increasingly being asked whether the government should be running airlines and hotels, given the VIP freeloaders. It is too much to expect any PMO action against the two VIPs, who were anything but apologetic, when it is defending those involved in Lalitgate. The Aviation Minister, who has assured the MPs that their privileges at airports are not being cut, has already said it is “too small” an incident for the PMO to take note of.