The airline issued a clarification on their Twitter handle.
Published: Tue 9 Jul 2019, 12:00 AM
Updated: Wed 10 Jul 2019, 6:15 PM
After Indian expats express their displeasure over Air India's decision to ban Zamzam holy water on its narrow-body aircraft, the airline has apologised and put out a clarification on their Twitter handle.
Expats fume over Air India's decision to ban Zamzam water
On Tuesday morning, the @airindianin Twitter handle carried a clarification that read -
#FlyAI : With reference to instructions regarding non carriage of Zamzam cans, on AI966 and AI964, we wish to clarify that passengers are allowed to carry Zamzam cans within their permissible baggage allowance.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused.
The airline has apologised for the inconvenience it has caused its passengers.
Check the Air India website for details on hand baggage and carry-on baggage allowed on their domestic and International flights.
About the ban
An AI official, who requested anonymity, confirmed to Khaleej Times that "the ban was put in place for narrow-body aircraft due to space constraints". However, the official said the issue is being "discussed internally".
Another official of the airline said that in 2014, an agreement had been put in place to directly transport bottles of Zamzam from Jeddah to India and distribute them to the pilgrims upon their return. However, he did not clarify whether the practice is still being observed.
"We are working towards resolving the matter," added the official. He clarified that majority of AI flights from India to Saudi Arabia - especially from major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi - are operated on wide-body aircraft, where Zamzam water is allowed on board.
Haj is considered the world's largest human gathering, recording almost 2.4 million pilgrims in 2018.
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