Norms relaxed for government officers to travel in private airlines for official assignments

Government officers will now no longer require to take permission from the Civil Aviation Ministry to travel in airlines other than Air India for official assignments. 

The power to grant exemption for traveling in airlines other than Air India has been now delegated to financial adviser of respective ministry or department. 

As per a July 2009 order, in cases of air travel, both domestic and international, wherein government bears the cost of air passage, officials have to travel in Air India only. 

For cases of air travel by other airlines because of operational, other reasons or on account of non-availability, the powers were vested with Ministry of Civil Aviation to accord exemption in individual cases. 

The Finance Ministry, in an office memorandum, said the matter was examined in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. 

"Accordingly, powers are hereby delegated to the Financial Advisers of the Ministries/Departments to accord exemption for air travel, both domestic and international, by airlines other than Air India," the note said. 

In case of autonomous bodies, the financial advisers of the concerned ministry/department will accord exemption for air travels, it added. 

Individual cases of financial advisers for travel in airlines other than Air India will be approved by the secretary of the concerned ministry.