After civil aviation minister Praful Patel spoke of the many requests to allow domestically produced wine and beer on- board domestic flights, the civil aviation ministry is divided over the topic. While some ministry officials would not mind if beer on a 2-hour trip is served, others feel this would lead to many passengers feeling uncomfortable.
Currently, sale and consumption of alcohol on domestic flights is prohibited by a government order.
?The problem is that Indians are not viewed as mature drinkers and everyone with a glass of beer in their hands is a drunkard capable of harassing an airhostess,? one senior official in the ministry said.
?While you and me may be okay sitting beside a traveler drinking on board, in our country a person who drinks is viewed as a drunkard,? another official said.
?An old woman or a young lady may find it very uncomfortable sitting beside such a person,? another official said.
Though allowing alcohol even in its mildest form is far from being allowed on board domestic flights, the policymakers would not mind a beer to kill time during a two-hour trip.
?The Mumbai airport does have a bar open to everyone already while the Delhi airport has its lounges where passengers can get a drink before boarding a flight,? a ministry official said. ?I am sure people can wait a few hours between drinks,? he added.
?I am open to allowing mild alcohols like wine and some beer on board,? Praful Patel said at a recent press conference when goaded on by journalist. ?The decision does not require any Cabinet approval and is within my executive powers to do such a thing but I have to build a consensus before making such a decision,? the minister added.
?We have received many proposals and presentations from growers of grapes, barley and hops (ingredients for making beer) keen on allowing mild alcoholic beverages on domestic flights,? the minister had told journalists. ?We have also received some presentations and proposals from international bodies like IATA and also the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) to allow alcohol on board flights,? he added.
A decade ago East-West Airlines had the clearance for serving alcohol to its passengers leading to a slightly higher load factor than other airlines at the time, sources in the ministry said.
But what do airlines think of the move. ?Once the policy is in place we will also abide by it. We have to compete with other airlines,? Jitendra Bhargava, executive director of Air India said.
But women?s organisations are against the move. ?They say that if air hostesses are at present harassed without alcohol being served on domestic flights, what will happen if it is served,? one ministry official said.