The airline’s move aligns with broader trends across the aviation industry, where catering policies are often revisited to accommodate a range of dietary preferences and religious considerations while optimizing operational efficiency. Air India’s latest revision is viewed as a targeted approach to balance these demands without universally applying halal standards to all in-flight meals. Traditionally, the airline's meals have undergone halal certification as a standard measure, regardless of the religious or cultural preferences of passengers. The revised policy has been framed as a way to both respect religious dietary laws and adapt to a cost-effective catering strategy amid changing industry dynamics.
The new catering protocol will specifically cater to those who request meals adhering to halal dietary laws, meaning other meals will no longer follow halal certification procedures. This update follows consultations between Air India and catering service providers to review how dietary needs are addressed without incurring unnecessary expenses or impacting service delivery. By customizing meal certification to match actual demand, the airline’s policy aims to address the preferences of passengers without mandating one standard for all.
Air India’s policy shift arrives during a period of wider reforms and restructuring initiatives under its parent company, Tata Group, which acquired the airline in early 2022. Under Tata’s management, Air India has embarked on a series of operational revamps, including fleet expansion, service improvements, and cost-management strategies aimed at revitalizing the brand. The overhaul includes modernizing its in-flight experience, with catering adjustments representing one aspect of this extensive effort.
The change also has practical implications for how the airline manages its catering logistics. Reducing the scope of halal certification to specific meal types is anticipated to streamline the airline's catering workflow, potentially lowering costs associated with the certification process while enhancing menu planning flexibility. As the airline expands its international routes, adapting its catering approach in this way is seen as a step toward meeting varied customer expectations with a responsive, customized strategy.
Responses to the announcement have been mixed, with some groups expressing support for what they view as a rational allocation of resources, while others are cautious, questioning whether this selective certification could inadvertently create challenges for passengers who do not request halal meals yet prefer them to be available. Nonetheless, Air India has reaffirmed its commitment to providing passengers with a full range of dining options that cater to dietary, cultural, and religious needs. The airline underscored that non-halal meal options will continue to be prepared with the same rigor to ensure safety, quality, and flavor standards, promising all passengers an enjoyable in-flight dining experience.
Industry analysts suggest that the catering policy adjustment may set a precedent, potentially influencing other airlines in the region and beyond to consider targeted certification protocols instead of broad, all-encompassing ones. The approach could be particularly beneficial in an industry where cost management is essential amid fluctuating fuel prices and operational costs. Catering expenses represent a considerable portion of airline operating costs, and targeted certification could offer a model for balancing passenger preferences with financial efficiency.
Globally, the airline industry has witnessed evolving practices in catering standards. Several international airlines provide certified halal meals specifically for passengers who request them, while others maintain certification across all meal options. In recent years, consumer awareness and demand for transparency in food sourcing and preparation have intensified, prompting airlines to more clearly define their meal labeling and certification standards. For Air India, limiting halal certification to meals requested by Muslim passengers represents a shift toward this customized model, one that seeks to align meal preparation practices with direct customer demand.
Some passenger advocates have expressed interest in how the policy will impact Air India’s reputation among its diverse customer base, particularly on routes with higher numbers of travelers from regions where halal food is widely preferred. To address these concerns, Air India has reportedly briefed its staff and catering partners on the importance of clear communication regarding meal options, assuring that all passengers can select meals that meet their dietary and religious preferences as necessary.