PM Narendra Modi's Air India One flies high but is always dry

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually turned Air India One into a flying PMO. While he is known to work and hold meetings on its long flights, the teetotaller PM has ensured that everyone else on board does so too by not allowing any liquor to be served on the aircraft. "Liquor is simply not served on the PM's flights," said a highly placed source.

The average age of the AI Boeing 747s used for these VVIP flights is 25 years, which means they are of 'pre-inflight entertainment (IFE) at back of the seat' age. "So the only option for the officials travelling with the PM is to either sleep and arrive ready to work or engross themselves in files or work on their personal electronic devices," said a source.

The foreign ministry decides the menu for these flights and the PM opts for a simple vegetarian meal, said a source. However, there is no restriction on non-veg food on Modi's flights.