AAI on austerity drive, curtails air travel

After domestic carriers resorted to cost-cutting measures, it is now the turn of country's nodal airport management agency Airports Authority of India (AAI), to initiate a slew of austerity measures in a bid to overcome the on-going economic turbulence.

"The government of India has specifically impressed upon the need to severely curtailing expenditure on air travel and foreign travel, except in cases where it is deemed to be absolutely necessary," an AAI circular said.

"Keeping in view the above direction, there is a need to identify areas where economics can be introduced in the most optimal and beneficial manner," the circular said.

As per the new regime, AAI officials would now not be allowed to go on more than four foreign tours in a year.

The austerity measures are in place for over a month now.

Besides, proposals for participation in study tours, workshops, seminars and presentation of papers overseas would not be considered by the management unless they were sponsored or otherwise unavoidable.

Instead, according to the circular, officials have been told to make use of video-conferencing effectively so as to avoid foreign trips as much as possible.

Restrictions have been placed on domestic travel as well and officials have been asked to communicate through e-mails and messaging service than travelling physically for meetings.

"Minimum use of official vehicles and hired vehicles may be carried out and the usage linked with essential priorities," it said.