Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC – 16.09.2010

Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC – Clarifications with regard to purchase of Air Tickets through authorised agents and relaxation for travel by Airlines other than Indian Airlines 

F.No.19024/1/2009-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Expenditure)

New Delhi dated the 16th September, 2010.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC

This Department is receiving repeated references seeking clarifications with regard to purchase of Air tickets through authorized agents and relaxation for travel by Airlines other than Indian Airlines. The following guidelines may be noted for compliance:

1. On Official Tours:

(i) For travel by Airlines other than Air India because of operational or other reasons or on account of non-availability of Air India flights, individual cases for relaxation to be referred to M/o Civil Aviation, as stated in this Ministry’s OM No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13.07.09.

(ii) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours.

2. LTC:

(i) Travel by Air India only.

(ii) In Economy class only, irrespective of entitlement.

(iii) LTC-80 ticket of Air India only to be purchased.

(iv) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoP&T OM No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dt. 02.12.09).

3. LTC for J&K:

(i) Relaxation to travel by Private Airlines to visit J &K while availing LTC is available to all the categories of Govt. employees, including those entitled to travel by Air [DoP&T OMs No. 31011/2/2003-Estt.(A-IV) dated 18.06.10 and 05.08.10 refer].

(ii) For purchase of Air tickets, however, the procedure as given under para 2 (iv) above should be followed.

4. All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India are requested to strictly adhere to these instructions.

Karan Singh

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

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