Air India is the first among Indian carriers to allow soldiers to board first. The initiative started from this Independence Day as a mark of respect for the soldiers.

Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani said that security forces personnel will be invited to board the aircraft first and announcements will be made in this regard at the boarding gates. He added that they will be requested to board before first and business class passengers.

AI had earlier shown regard for the armed forces personnel by giving them discounted air fares in the domestic sector. The decision of priority boarding for soldiers has been implemented from Tuesday on the occasion of India’s 71st Independence Day.

The AI staff welcomed this decision. A senior AI pilot who flies long-haul routes said that Indian airports should invite the soldiers to their VIP lounges just like it is done in America. He said India should emulate the move and open its VIP lounges for the armed forces personnel.

When AI pilots come to know of the presence of soldiers on board, they make announcements welcoming them. Passengers clap and salute when soldiers board planes in their uniforms. ‘It is an honour to fly the soldiers’, said an AI pilot.