4,000 Air India Staff Caught Misusing Travel Scheme

Air India has found that over 4,000 of its employees abused the airline’s staff travel benefit program, with some going as far as selling their complimentary tickets at a profit.

Up until now, Air India’s staff perks have included 14 free flights each financial year, for either them or close family members to use.

However, an internal audit of the Employee Leisure Travel (ELT) program uncovered thousands of violations of these eligibility rules, reported PTI.

The probe found that many employees had registered ineligible people as family members in order to claim the free tickets. In some cases, the free tickets were simply sold off for cash.

Employees found to have breached the terms of the program have been fined and asked to pay back the value of the tickets, reports People Matters. Air India has also tightened its rules, so that staff must now submit documentary proof of family relationships before any travel benefit is approved.