Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has urged Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to intervene urgently over what he described as deteriorating service standards on Air India’s long-haul international flights. In a letter addressed to the minister, the Amritsar MP highlighted growing passenger complaints regarding poor aircraft conditions on overseas routes, calling the situation a serious and escalating issue that requires immediate corrective action from both the government and the airline.
Aujla stated that passengers travelling on key international sectors, particularly routes connecting India to North America and Australia, are paying premium fares but experiencing services far below acceptable global standards. He pointed out that travellers, including members of the Punjabi and wider North Indian diaspora, have repeatedly reported problems such as broken seats, malfunctioning seat-back entertainment systems, worn upholstery, damaged armrests, and inadequate cabin cleanliness. According to him, these issues are especially concerning on ultra-long-haul flights, where passenger comfort and aircraft quality play a crucial role.
In his communication, the MP argued that such conditions not only inconvenience travellers but also harm India’s aviation image on prominent international routes widely used by students, professionals, and families. While acknowledging that Air India has already begun a fleet modernisation and retrofit programme, Aujla expressed concern that the upgrades are expected to continue until 2027–2028. He emphasised that passengers should not be expected to endure substandard services for several years while waiting for long-term improvements to be completed.
Aujla called for immediate inspections and audits of wide-body aircraft operating on routes to Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, particularly flights carrying large numbers of diaspora passengers. He also sought time-bound refurbishment or replacement of ageing aircraft, installation of modern in-flight entertainment systems, improved seating and upholstery, stricter cleanliness standards, and enhanced passenger service support, including better responsiveness from ground staff at airports.
The concerns raised by Aujla come amid earlier complaints about aircraft conditions involving Indian airlines. Last year, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan publicly criticised Air India after being allotted a broken seat on a domestic flight, prompting an apology from the airline and directions from authorities for a review. Shortly afterward, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also shared images of damaged seats on an IndiGo flight, drawing attention to maintenance standards across carriers.
Aujla’s intervention has renewed scrutiny of Air India’s long-haul fleet at a time when international travel demand remains high. Concluding his appeal, he urged the Civil Aviation Ministry and regulatory authorities to ensure swift upgrades, improved ground support, and modern onboard facilities so that Indian passengers, particularly those travelling abroad, receive service standards comparable to leading global airlines.
