Officials, VIPs 'abuse' status to get free air tickets:Tehelka

They allegedly availed themselves of the facilities from a private airline in gross violation of service rules and propriety

Tehelka Magazine on Friday claimed some officials, bureaucrats and other VIPs had "abused" their status to get free tickets and other facilities from a private airline in gross violation of service rules and propriety.

At a press conference here, Ramesh Ramachandran, the magazine's political editor, alleged that Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, had got several upgrades on international sectors for himself, one of his associates and his children and his mother.

According to Tehelka, the former head of DGCA, the regulatory of the aviation sector, a former secretary of the civil aviation ministry, former DG of Archaeological Survey of India and former Chairman of the Airports Authority of India had also "enjoyed favours".

However, commenting on the issue Jet Airways spokesperson said, “ Upgrades are a common industry practice in the global travel, tourism and service sectors, and are extended to passengers subject to availability at the discretion of the service provider.  Jet Airways has the prerogative to afford its guests privileges including upgrades at its discretion and does not stand alone in this practice. The insinuations and allegations in the article are misplaced and unfortunate.”