JET Airways’ price-slashing move earlier this week has sparked a price war among Indian carriers.
IndiGo, Spice Jet and GoAir have followed suit with deals of their own after Jet Airways dropped prices by as much as 30-50 per cent on two million seats recently. Air India is also offering a 40 per cent discount on its fares.
Jet Airways’ offers are open for booking until February 24, and are good for 450 flights across 57 domestic destinations for travel until December 31, on either Jet Airways or Jet Konnect, its low-cost arm.
Airfares range from Rs2,250 (US$41) for travel up to 750km to Rs3,800 for flights above 1,400km. All prices are tax-inclusive.
Sudheer Raghavan, chief commercial officer, Jet Airways, said: “The offer will enable passengers to plan ahead and get great bargains for travel during the holiday seasons in summer, autumn and winter.”
Airlines expect the deals to push up passenger loads to 90 per cent in the high season, from an average of 73 per cent.
Spice Jet claims to have sold 700,000 tickets when it offered a million seats at marked down prices in a three-day sale for travel between February 1 and April 30.
Mamta Panjani, general manager-east, Mercury Travels, said: “This sudden reduction in fares will boost air travel for holidays and business travel as high fares last year had dampened many holidaymakers’ plans.”
Meanwhile, Rajendra Churiwala, director-eastern region, IATA Agents Association of India, said: “Passengers will benefit from this price war provided enough seats are offered on all major flights at these prices.”
