All air travel including LTC can be made by private airlines

The Department of Expenditure Wednesday clarified an earlier order regulating air travel by government employees, stating that air travel on government account for both domestic (including LTC) & foreign sectors can be done on private airlines. Tickets shall be purchased only through the three authorized agents - Balmer & Lawrie, IRCTC, or Ashok Travels

After the disinvestment of Air India, the department issued a notification on December 31 addressing the booking of air tickets on government accounts. Bookings could only be made through one of three authorised agencies: Balmer & Lawrie, IRCTC, or Ashok Travels, according to the statement.

The order is reproduced below

No. 19024/03/2021-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi.
Dated the 16th February 2022

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Modification of instructions regarding Air Travel on Government account.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. dated 31.12.2021 regarding booking of air tickets on Government account after disinvestment of Air India through three authorized agencies viz. Balmer & Lawrie, IRCTC and Ashok Travels. Several references have been received in this Department seeking clarification regarding booking of air tickets for Domestic and International travel by private airlines in view of the disinvestment of Air India.

2. It is clarified that the air travel on Government account both Domestic (including LTC) and International travel can be made by private airlines. Tickets shall be purchased only through the above
three authorized agents.

3. This is issued with the approval of the Finance Secretary & Secretary (Expenditure).

Sd/-
(Nirmala Dev)
Director