Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC

Copy of OM No 19024/1/2009-E-IV dated 16.9.2010 of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Sub : Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC.

This Department is receiving repeated references seeking clarifications with regard to purchase of Air tickets through authorised 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 Authorised Travel Agents viz M/S Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/S Ashok Travel & 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 Authorised Travel Agents viz M/S Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/S Ashok Travel & Tours and IRCC (to the extent IRCTC is authorised as per DoP&T OM No 31011/6/2002-Estt(A) dated 02.12.09).

3. LTC for J&K

(i) Relaxation to travel by Private Airlines to visit J&K while availing LTC is available for all the categories of Govt. employees, including those entitled to travel by Air [DoP&T OMs No 31011/2/2003-Estt(A-IV) dated 18.6.10 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.