Inuit org’s airline ticket upgrade policy still grounded

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.’s board of directors has yet to approve an amendment to its travel policy that would let executive members upgrade their flights to first class in certain circumstances. (FILE PHOTO)

The option for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. executives to upgrade their flight seats has been quietly dropped by the Inuit organization — at least, for the time being.

“The NTI Board of Directors did not approve the final language of the proposed addition to the organization’s travel policy during last meeting. As a result, the amendments have not taken effect,” NTI said in a written statement emailed to Nunatsiaq News.

NTI President Cathy Towtongie and NTI Vice President James Eetoolook proposed the amendment at a board of directors meeting in Iqaluit Sept. 2.

The amendment would have allowed NTI executives to upgrade to executive or first-class seats in “extraordinary cases” of health or volume of travel.

NTI’s policy to date has been always to seek the most affordable tickets available.

PJ Akeeagok, the president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, said during open debate Sept. 2 that there is little oversight by NTI to guarantee the upgrades are used properly, reminding his colleagues the upgrade would be paid for with beneficiaries’ money.

After Akeeagok’s objection, the board found a compromise, limiting the upgrade only to flights that are four hours or longer.

Though the motion passed during the public portion of the NTI meeting, the amendment was moved to an in-camera session to complete the final wording.

One month later, the NTI Travel Policy, which is available online, has still not been officially amended since 2009.

“The amendments, with additional language, will be discussed during the next NTI board meeting,” NTI’s statement to Nunatsiaq News continued.

NTI’s 2015 annual general meeting is scheduled to run Oct. 20 to Oct. 22 in Iqaluit.