SILKAIR will begin four-weekly Singapore-Kolkata services from August 1.
Singapore Airlines (SIA), which already has a presence in Kolkata with four flights a week, will scale down their services on the route to thrice-weekly.
“Together, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines will operate seven flights per week to Kolkata. SilkAir aims to serve both leisure and business travellers alike”, said SilkAir CEO, Marvin Tan.
“Introducing daily flights to Kolkata was our main point of interest. With seven flights a week, travel between Kolkata and Singapore is now convenient for our passengers,” added SIA’s general manager (India), GM Toh.
Mamta Panjani of Mercury Travels, Kolkata said: “SilkAir has announced an excellent introductory fare of 14,999 rupees (US$334) for a round-trip ticket to Singapore.
In comparison, low-cost carrier Air India Express offers a round-trip fare of 18,000 rupees, while an SIA round-trip ticket costs 24,000 rupees.
Seema Ahmed of Kolkata-based Gainwell Travels feels that “passengers are very likely to prefer SilkAir, since it will offer full service on board, compared to Air India Express that offers spartan in-flight service. “Even if SIA stabilises their fares at about 17,000 rupees, the passengers will happily buy,” he said.
By Sirima Eamtako
