Air India implements new in-flight meal pre-booking requirement, updates halal certification policy
In a major policy update, Tata-owned Air India has announced that all passengers must now pre-book their meals before boarding, a part of the airline's restructuring following its merger with Vistara. This move is designed to streamline in-flight services and cater more precisely to passenger preferences.
One of the significant changes involves halal-certified meals. Going forward, halal meals will only be available to Muslim passengers who select the 'Muslim Meal' (MOML) option during the pre-booking process. These meals will include a halal certificate to guarantee authenticity, but general meal options will not carry halal certification unless specifically designated as MOML.
Air India's internal guidelines clarify that MOML meals will fall under the category of special meals, ensuring that passengers receive halal-certified food only if they pre-book this option. This change allows the airline to better align its meal offerings with the specific dietary requirements of its passengers.
However, the airline will maintain its practice of serving exclusively halal meals on certain international routes. Flights to and from Saudi Arabia—including Jeddah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Medina—as well as those related to the Hajj pilgrimage, will continue to offer only halal meals, in line with local standards and passenger expectations.
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UAE set to decline PCB request to host PSL games
Dubai, May 9 (PTI): The PCB's plans to conduct the remaining Pakistan Super League matches in the UAE may not succeed as the Emirates Cricket Board is "unlikely to approve" its request due to the border tensions between India and Pakistan.
A source close to the developments in the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has indicated that the Board is set to reject the request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has already announced that the PSL would be held in the UAE.
The source has cited "security concerns potentially emanating from the rising tension between India and Pakistan."
It is learnt that the recent developments have made the Emirates Cricket Board "vary of being perceived as an ally of PCB", which it believes the act of hosting the PSL may suggest.
"The Emirates Cricket Board has enjoyed a strong relationship with BCCI in recent years having hosted the 'India' edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, editions of the IPL as well as India matches during ICC Champions Trophy 2025," the source further stated.
Dubai is also the headquarter of the International Cricket Council, which is currently headed by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
"The UAE has a diverse South Asian population which enjoys cricket. Hosting a tournament like the PSL in the midst of such tense circumstances could vitiate harmony, pose security risks and stir unnecessary friction between communities," the source said.
The PCB said early this morning that the last eight PSL fixtures, which were previously scheduled in Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore, will now be staged in the UAE.
Schedule of matches, outlining the dates and venues, will be shared in due course, a statement said.
On Thursday, the PCB called off a scheduled match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi stadium.
India launched missile attacks on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir a fortnight after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.
