Come Jan 1! Flyers on AI Flights will get piping hot snacks but strictly vegetarian

New Delhi

Reacting to the controversy, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma today said earlier also, non-vegetarian food was not included in category of snacks. The controversy was generated after the national carrier issued a circular that it has decided to go only vegetarian for its economy class passengers on flights up to 90 minutes duration.
 
The Air India added that it has also cancelled serving tea and coffee on flights that provide dinner and lunch.

However, Dr Sharma said the circular issued by Air India has been misinterpreted and there is no change in the previous orders. Only some upgradations have been made in the previous menu. "It has been misinterpreted. The real truth is that in short halt flights where the time span is between 60-90 minutes, we used to serve sandwiches and snacks which used to be vegetarian. Only thing was that there was a long demand that there should be some hot food as well," Dr Sharma told a TV channel.

"As a process of that we have started hot foods. In the long duration flights of more than 90 minutes, everything will remain same. Only part is that we have upgraded the issues as the new year is coming, and therefore some innovations have to be there.

So, there is no change in the previous orders. Only thing is that some up-gradation has been put. Non-vegetarian food was earlier not there and at present is also not there," the Minister said.