New Delhi, Oct 13 : National carrier Air India has opened a booking office at North Block, home to several ministries, after the government made it mandatory for all government officials to travel only by Air India.

"This (the new booking office) would provide the convenience of reservation facilities to ministries and government departments at their doorstep," the airline said in a statement Tuesday.

The booking office has been set up in the premises of the Department of Expenditure in the ministry of finance, it added.

The North Block houses key ministries like home and finance, among others.

In a bid to help the ailing carrier come out of its mounting losses, the finance ministry July 13 had asked all government officials to travel only by Air India.

The airline also has offices operating from the ministry of external affairs at Akbar Hotel and Parliament House.

Air India has accumulated losses of over Rs. 7,200 crore since last fiscal. The government has in principle agreed to infuse funds up to Rs. 5,000 crore into the ailing carrier. (IANS)