Middle Seat Controversy: Air India Will Buy 6 Lakh Passenger Safety Kits

New Delhi: National carrier Air India plans to acquire six lakh passenger safety kits comprising face shield, masks and hand sanitisers as the use of such protection gears has now become a requirement for a traveller prior to boarding a flight in times of COVID-19. According to the existing rules, the middle seat passenger has to be provided with a PPE kit. Otherwise, the seat must remain empty. Some flyers are also wearing PPE kits being unsure of any untoward circumstances. After the controversy reached the Supreme Court, Air India was allowed to take bookings for the middle seat. Also Read – Air India: All Domestic, International Tickets Valid Till December 2021, Air India Announces New Policy | Details Here

The kits that Air India will buy are to be procured over a period of six months with the first batch of 50,000 kits will have to be delivered to the carrier within 15 days of the award of the contract, according to the tender document on Air India website. Also Read – Domestic Flights: This Airline Launches Door-to-Door Baggage Delivery | Know Price, Details And Where The Service is Available

“Air India invites price bids for the supply of passenger safety kits, which should consist of three items — face shield, face mask and hand sanitiser (in a sachet of 5 ml) for use by our esteemed passengers,” the airline stated in the document. Also Read – 42-yr-old Man Suddenly Passes Away Onboard Lagos-Mumbai Air India Flight Due to Natural Causes

The supply contract will be 6,00,000 kits, Air India said, adding, “however the requirement may vary depending on actual consumption and accordingly call-offs will be given by the Mumbai-based stores.”

According to the document, the airline can also increase the quantity by 25 per cent in the contract/purchase order at the same rate and terms and conditions. At the same time, “Air India is not committed to uplift the quantity” also and may “curtail” the total contract size as well, depending upon the situation, it stated. After the first delivery, the subsequent deliveries of the kits will be in a staggered manner.