800 MPs are Air India’s new Maharajas in the sky

Airport managers and officials will be required to be in attendance,either in person or by deputing another official to “meet” them along with helpers,help them with formalities till they board the aircraft.

Once on board,the cabin crew will have to identify themselves to the MPs and offer them “compliments of the Captain”. At the end of the flight,the commander will have to file a report on the handling of the MP.

But it doesn’t stop there. The protocol specifies that immediately after the flight carrying the MP departs,the station manager should inform his counterpart,via “email,telex and telephone call”,about the MP’s seat number,baggage location,onward flight details and any other “special requirement at transit or destination”.

The station manager has to “monitor”,“liaise” and “ensure” that the flight operates on schedule after the MP has boarded it.

The protocol was devised in November 2011 after MPs approached the House Committee (Lok Sabha),chaired by JP Aggarwal,for special treatment at airports and in-flight. “MPs are are not even provided minimum basic facilities,” a Committee member said. A senior official said that “protocol issues” being raised by MPs “will be addressed”.

Ground Rules

During departure

* Station of origin to ensure requested meal lifted

* Enroute/destination station manager to meet MP

* MP to be met with helper,facilitated till aircraft

* Accommodated in lounge,baggage gets priority

* MP to be given pre-reserved seat of choice

After take-off

* MP seat number,baggage details sent to destination

* Cabin crew to “offer compliments of the Captain”

On arrival

* MP to be received at gate by officer,helpers

* Escorted for baggage claim,arrival,immigration,customs