IndiGo Boss Rahul Bhatia Summoned For Not Extending Privilege Facilities To Lok Sabha Members

Some Lok Sabha members have registered a complaint that necessary protocol was not accorded to them at the airports by IndiGo, among other airlines.

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The Privilege Committee of the Lok Sabha, headed by BJP Lok Sabha MP Sunil Singh, has summoned IndiGo's Managing Director (MD) Rahul Bhatia for not extending due courtesy and facilities at airports. As per a report on ANI, Rahul Bhatia, who is the boss of India's biggest airline, along with some other aviation stakeholders are summoned on August 30 over alleged protocol violation. The report adds that some Lok Sabha members alleged they were not extended due courtesy and facilities at airports in India.

During the just-concluded monsoon session of Parliament, some parliamentarians have registered a complaint that necessary protocol was not accorded to them at the airports by the airline companies and security agencies (CISF), including airport operators. 

BJP's Lok Sabha MP Sunil Singh is the chairman of the Committee of Privileges, and he is accompanied by 14 other members of the committee. Indigo is the largest airline company in the country with a capacity of around 300 aircraft. IndiGo has not released an official statement in the matter.

In 2021, the Civil Aviation Ministry asked airlines and airports in the country to continue following the protocol that gives certain privileges to members of Parliament (MPs) during air travel. The development came after some issues of negligence regarding the protocol came to the notice of the ministry.

Former Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, back in 2015, said that some of the facilities are extended to the MPs as courtesy and not privilege. These facilities includees providing reserved lounge at domestic and international airports, free access to terminal building and visitors gallery, airport entry pass to personal staff of MPs.