Updated

New Delhi, Dec 26 (NDTV): Air India today denied reports that the loss-making flag carrier has taken off non-vegetarian food from the menu for economy class passengers on flights up to 90 minutes duration.

Citing a circular dated, December 23, some reports had also said the airline has decided to strike off both tea and coffee from its lunch and dinner menu starting January 1.

But Air India officials said that hot meals, including non-vegetarian ones, were served only on flights over 90 minutes in duration. For shorter flights, only cold snacks were served, they said. This has now been "upgraded" to hot vegetarian meals, they added.

Junior aviation minister Mahesh Sharma said, "There is no change in the previous system, only upgradation has been done. Apart from snacks, some hot food has been started. There is no controversy of vegetarian and non-vegetarian. We have started offering hot food considering it is winter."

"In the long duration flights, the system of veg and non-veg will remain same. We have upgraded the existing facility," he added.

Among those questioning the move had been former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah.
As the controversy over the issue swelled, Air India chief Ashwani Lohani also issued a clarification on the reports, saying, "We used to give cold vegetarian snacks in short duration flights. So we converted to hot vegetarian snacks. As the winter times is there, so people used to demand snacks. I don't think so there is any issue in this."

Air India also said they will review the decision after taking feedback on their new meals. The primary reason for offering one standard meal and not a choice was because crew wouldn't have the time to serve different menu options, the company said.