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National carrier Air India’s decision to stop serving non-vegetarian food in the Economy section of its domestic flights, as part of cost-cutting efforts, created a Twitter storm on Monday, with myriad responses, some supportive, most seeing the lighter side.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah was quick to poke fun at the airline’s decision: “With ₹50,000 crore of accumulated losses this will restore Air India to full health in....oh heck 5000 years. Well worth it :)” he tweeted.
Others were more serious in their criticism. “Low cost is a philosophy not a strategy. AI strikes non-vegetarian food off menu for economy class travellers #FAIL,” said @CaptShaktiLumba.
Madhu Menon was not so charitable, “Only veg food on Air India. Next, flight attendants to speak only Hindi. After that, stand for national anthem before take-off.”
Veena Venugopal delivered what was perhaps the sharpest cut: “Air India is unable to sort veg and non-veg boxes accurately. But is to be trusted to fly people.”
Support for the move
But there were some who sided with the flag carrier.
“A lot of low-cost airlines simplify food choices. Airlines in Lat Am, for e.g, sometimes have a chicken/ham sandwich as the only option. Simple business sense suggests that any loss making entity should attempt to optimise and cut costs & more food options = more cost,” wrote Krish Ashok in a series of tweets.
Airlines are known for coming up with novel ways to cut costs, a majority of which is accounted for by the fuel bill.
A few years ago, a domestic airline decided to employ only female flight attendants on weight grounds.
In the 1980s, an American carrier found that if one olive was removed from every salad served to the passengers, it would save up to $40,000 a year.
Earlier, Lohani had sought to justify the decision, saying it was “an attempt to rationalise costs. This will reduce wastage to a great extent because we carry extra vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals”.
Lohani said the airline would take more such steps in future to reduce its expenses, including in the catering department.
Serving one type of meal to passengers in economy class will also make the job of crew members “simpler”, he said.
“Air India is unable to sort veg and non-veg boxes accurately. But is to be trusted to fly people,” said one tweet.
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