Oberoi requests PM to allow food on board

Oberoi group’s flight catering unit has written to the Centre, urging it to allow serving meals on flights and pointing out that it has not earned any revenue for three months.

The Covid-19 safety guidelines issued by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), the regulatory body for airlines in India, state that food cannot be served to passengers on board.

“Our factory has been closed since 20th March, 2020 and there is no revenue. Earning of several operating companies — especially those in hospitality, aviation and non-grocery retail — are badly hit due to business restriction in the country, triggered by the (Covid-19) pandemic. You are earnestly requested to kindly withdraw the restriction on in flight catering facility to the passengers in domestic airlines,” A. Imam Malik, unit head/head-corporate affairs, Oberoi Flight Services and Oberoi Airport Services, wrote in the email on June 15.

It mentioned that the catering unit followed all food safety and handling policies.

Domestic flight services from Calcutta resumed on May 28 after the lockdown restrictions were eased. Sources in both catering units said the airlines were not lifting any food items on board, abiding by DGCA guidelines.

Airlines, too, said they were earning less revenue because of the ban on food consumption. “We earn revenue from serving food and beverages. But we have to abide by the DGCA guidelines,” said an official of a low-cost airline.

Update by Sirsha Gupta