Air India Express’ inaugural flight from Surat, Gujarat, to Bangkok saw strong liquor sales on board, though some passengers had claimed on social media that the stock ran out. The 4-hour flight, operated with a Boeing 737-8 aircraft on Friday, carried 175 passengers and six crew members, with a total capacity of 176.
Officials from the budget airline clarified on Sunday that, contrary to some claims on social media, the alcohol stock did not run out during the flight. They confirmed that both liquor and food supplies were sufficient throughout the journey.
Passengers consume Rs 1.8 lakh worth of liquor?
However, according to multiple media reports, passengers consumed around 15 liters of premium alcoholic beverages, including Chivas Regal, Bacardi, and beer, amounting to Rs 1.8 lakhs. The consumption was so high that the crew had to announce they had run out of alcohol before reaching Bangkok.
The flight was also memorable for its food, as passengers brought traditional Gujarati snacks such as thepla and khaman, along with items like pizza. These personal snacks, in addition to the onboard refreshments, were all consumed during the 4-hour journey.
No official comment from AI Express
There was no official comment from Tata Group-owned Air India Express regarding the incident. Officials mentioned that generally, passengers are served a maximum of 100 ml of liquor per flight.
On this particular flight, five types of liquor were available, including 50 ml servings of Chivas Regal priced at Rs 600, and 50 ml each of Red Label, Bacardi White Rum, and Beefeater Gin at Rs 400 each. Additionally, passengers could purchase a 330 ml bottle of Bira Lager for Rs 400.
Passengers could either pre-book or purchase food during the flight. It is important to note that liquor consumption is prohibited in Gujarat.