The new policy offers non-halal, non-vegetarian meal options to cater to the preferences of passengers from different faith groups.
GURUGRAM – Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) announced on Sunday, November 10, that it will no longer offer halal-certified non-vegetarian meals for Hindu and Sikh passengers. However, travelers will still have the option to pre-book a "Muslim Meal" (MOML), which will continue to be halal-certified.
This change in policy reflects Air India's effort to better accommodate the dietary preferences of its diverse passenger base.
Air India Halal Meal Policy Change
Air India's decision to stop providing halal-certified non-vegetarian meals for Hindu and Sikh passengers comes after years of campaigns against the mandatory offering of halal meals, which were often seen as insensitive to the religious preferences of these groups.
The new policy introduces non-halal, non-vegetarian meal options, addressing the growing demand for alternatives among passengers of different faiths.
Previously, Air India categorized meals based on religion, offering separate "Hindu Meal" and "Muslim Meal" options. This practice faced criticism for being divisive. While the Hindu Meal option excluded beef and pork, the airline now allows passengers to pre-book a "Muslim Meal" (MOML) for those specifically requesting halal food.
In a statement, Air India clarified, "MOML (Muslim Meal): Pre-booked meals labeled with a 'MOML' sticker are considered special meals (SPML). A Halal Certificate will only be provided for the pre-booked MOML meal. All meals on flights to Saudi Arabia will be halal-certified, and a Halal Certificate will be available for flights to Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Medina, including Haj flights."
This policy shift is seen by many as a move toward offering more culturally respectful and inclusive meal options for Air India's diverse passenger base.
Public Reactions to Air India's Meal Policy Change
The recent shift in Air India's meal policy has sparked a range of responses from passengers and aviation commentators, highlighting diverse perspectives:
One passenger called for a nationwide standard, stating, “I would like this to be standard in all restaurants and meat shops across the country. We non-Muslims should have a default option of jhatka meat.”
Others expressed support for the decision, with one saying, “This is the best way forward. Muslim meals were always available on request, but then it suddenly became halal for everyone!”
A few noted that this policy aligns with other meal options available on flights, such as Hindu meals. “That’s fine. Just like Hindu meals are a separate option on international flights, let this be a separate choice as well,” one commented.
Some passengers compared it to other specialized meals, such as Jain meals or those for dietary restrictions. “It’s similar to Jain meals or other dietary-restricted meals,” one said.
There was also debate around the distinction between “HNML” (Hindu Meal) and “jhatka,” with some questioning whether the difference truly mattered. “You’re all eating chicken in the end. It’s the same bird! And if it’s Air India, it’s probably going to be poorly cooked anyway,” one passenger joked.
A few responses took a more critical tone, suggesting the focus on preparation methods overlooked ethical concerns. One passenger argued, “Does it really matter if you kill with a knife or a gun? In the end, an animal is killed for someone’s taste buds. We’ve let our more devilish nature dominate.”
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