MUMBAI, June 18: Senior Indian Airlines (IA) officials have suggested farming out routine cleaning of aircraft cabins and toilets to outside parties so that the interiors of its aircraft appear world-class, say sources.

The idea was mooted last month by IA's senior managers after deputy managing director, Capt JRD Rao, found lapses in the security and passenger facilities on board the aircraft. In a note to senior airline officials, he pointed out that life jackets under aircraft seats were misplaced, and garbage was strewn in the passenger area. He also added that airplane toilets were smelly and there were delays in the refuelling and loading of cargo.

In a proposal put to the IA top brass, it was suggested that IA's expenditure on cabin maintenance ``is very low by international standards.'' However, the proposal is silent on the future of IA's in- house aircraft cabin maintenance departments.

The airline presently relies on tried and tested bureaucratic methods to ensure good housekeeping. A committee comprising senior officials from the engineering, operations and commercial departments has been formed to conduct surprise checks onboard aircraft at least three to four times a week to ensure that the planes are sufficiently prepared before the time of departure. Also included in the committee are senior airport managers of the airline from Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and New Delhi.

Senior engineering officials also mooted setting up of a dedicated section within the department specially for the upkeep of toilets and cabins.

However, none of the proposals recommend the fixing of responsibility on individual employees for poor housekeeping inside aircraft. IA's engineering department, which was pulled up by Rao, promptly passed the buck and accused the catering-loading department of doing a shoddy job, which it alleged led to garbage accumulating at the rear of the aircraft.

A passenger survey among IA's frequent fliers early this year revealed that the privately owned Jet Airways is growing in popularity over the state-owned carrier. The research body suggested that IA is taking its number one position for granted.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.