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Air India issues gag on staff to stem bad press, threatens being fired if caught
National carrier Air India (AI) has threatened its staffers with dire consequences, including being fired, if found leaking internal matters, especially goof ups, to the media.
National carrier Air India (AI) has threatened its staffers with dire consequences, including being fired, if found leaking internal matters, especially goof ups, to the media.
Having faced frequent bad press off late, the airliner issued a circular on July 22 stating that such leaks had ‘tarnished the image of the company’ and warned of disciplinary action, including termination of service. The notice was sent out by Aruna Gopalkrishanan, executive director (corporate affairs), AI.
AI chairman and managing director, Ashwani Lohani, told Hindustan Times that this was a standard practice almost everywhere. “This is not for normal interaction with media but only for something that tarnishes the image of the company,” he clarified.
The move is in line with a series of stern actions taken against AI crew earlier this year. Last January, the airline had warned an imposition of fine on crew responsible for flight delays. It also rapped pilots for turning down flight duties using trivial reasons such as pairing with a particular crew set. Recently, it also warned flight attendants against taking leave during the Haj season that starts on August 4.
Industry observers said botch ups in the airlines tend to leak more easily than from private airlines because the carrier has active trade unions.
