Beef off British Airways menu

Sat, May 10 12:50 AM

Britain's national carrier British Airways has stopped serving beef to its economy class passengers, citing "religious considerations". But critics suspect that pressure to cut costs is the main reason for the move.

BA has denied the charge. The BA spokesman said that BA's biggest long-haul market after the transatlantic routes, is India.

So the decision was taken to please Indian passengers. The airline will serve fish pie or a chicken dish instead.

Strangely, first class and business class passengers will continue to be served beef. This enforces critics' claims that rising cost was a factor for the move.

"We appreciate BA's sentiment. We had received complaints from Hindu passengers and had taken up the matter with them," Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the Hindu Forum of Britain told Hindustan Times.

"But, does BA think first class or business class passengers do not have religious considerations?" He added that passengers of all faiths should be able to get suitable dishes. The decision was described as a "great shame" by the English Beef and Lamb Executive.

"It is regrettable that Britain's flag carrier is not proposing to serve Britain's national dish. It is a symbol of Britain used to promote tourism.

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