'Service Of Alcoholic Beverages Must Be...': Air India Modifies Liquor Policy After Peegate

After two incidents of flyers allegedly peeing on or near co-passengers, Air India has modified its in-flight liquor policy.

After two incidents of flyers allegedly peeing on or near co-passengers, Air India has modified its in-flight liquor policy.

In the wake of multiple untoward incidents on its flights, Air India has made a few "adjustments" in its in-flight alcohol service policy. The airline said that the adjustments have been made after "taking reference from other carriers’ practice and input from the US National Restaurants Association’s guidelines".

"Some adjustments have been made to our existing in-flight alcohol service policy for better clarity. US National Restaurants Association’s Traffic Light system included to help crew recognise and manage possible cases of intoxication," a spokesperson for Air India said.

The Tata Group-owned Air India pointed out that its alcohol policy is in line with existing practice. However, “some adjustments have been made for better clarity and NRA’s Traffic Light system". It said that the adjustments would help “crew recognise and manage possible cases of intoxication".

Air India's decision comes after at least two incidents of passengers allegedly urinating on women flyers or their seats after getting drunk on flight.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson had earlier said that the company would review its policy of serving alcohol on flights, in the wake of the two incidents on November 26 and December 6 last year.

Wilson wrote an internal communication to employees after Air India faced criticism including from the aviation regulator for its handling of an incident involving a man, while apparently inebriated, urinating on a fellow female passenger on a flight from New York in November.

Stating that the week was "regrettably" dominated by media headlines of the November 26 incident, the chief executive said, "The repulsion felt by the affected passenger is totally understandable and we share her distress." With questions being raised about the airline not immediately reporting the unruly passenger to law enforcement authorities, he advised staff to report all incidents irrespective of a settlement being reached.

According to Air India's previous policy, a passenger cannot be served more than two drinks on a flight duration of less than 4 hours. For longer flights, liquor quantity can be proportionately increased at the rate of one drink every additional hour of flying.

Flyers are, however, forbidden from bringing their own liquor. They can be served alcohol only in their seats.

The policy further states that only one drink can be served at a time and minors will not be allowed to consume liquor. It further aks cabin staffers to maintain a break of at least three hours before a passenger can get additional drinks after the initial three drinks.

Cabin crew have been told to stop serving liquor to flyers already intoxicated.

"The new policy has now been promulgated to crew and included in training curricula. Air India remains committed to the safety and well-being of our passengers and cabin crew, including but not limited to the responsible service of alcohol," the spokesperson said.

(With inputs from PTI.)