Air India restricts halal meal options on select routes as part of merger with Vistara Details

Tata-owned Air India (AI) has announced that it will serve halal meals – often labeled as ‘Muslim Meals’ (MOML) – only on certain routes, including routes to Saudi Arabia and pilgrimage. The shift comes as AI integrates its operations with Vistara, another Tata Group airline, as part of a strategy to streamline services.

In an internal notice issued on November 10, AI issued new guidelines requiring halal-certified meals to be served on flights to Saudi Arabia. The airline will provide halal certificates for meals on routes to Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, Madinah and all pilgrimage flights. For passengers on other routes, AI’s standard meal options will be available, subject to advance booking.

The notice also details that pre-ordered meals with MOML stickers will be considered special meals and a halal certificate will be provided for these meals. The change is part of a broader move toward standardized food service following AI’s merger with Vistara.

This move aims to improve service efficiency

An AI official explained times of india The airline has historically offered passengers a variety of meal options. The recent requirement to pre-order meals is aimed at improving service efficiency, especially as the airline prepares to operate under a single brand following its merger with Vistara.

Last week, AI also announced key management changes to lead the merger. “Over the past two years, the four Tata airlines have been working hard to prepare for and execute one of the most complex mergers in aviation history,” Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said.

He added: “As this process comes to an end, we are pleased to formally form group leadership, made up of colleagues from all four previous airlines, to drive the next phase of our journey.”

Tata Group’s merger of Air India and Vistara is aimed at strengthening its position in the highly competitive Indian aviation market, which is dominated by low-cost carrier IndiGo. With this merger, Air India creates a larger and more unified domestic airline entity.