Cheaper airfares are back, for now

Mumbai: Faced with a lean season when occupancies drop 15 to 20 per cent, airlines are trying to lure fliers with cheaper fares. If you time your travel well (midweek, off-peak hours), you can still fly many sectors in the country for Rs 2,525.
For instance, you can fly Mumbai-Delhi on January 16 (Tuesday) at that fare on budget carriers like GoAir, Spicejet or Simplifly Deccan if you don't mind reaching your destination at 12 pm, starting at 5 am, or taking a flight in the afternoon.
Even if you are taking a flight at peak hours (7 to 9 a m, and 5 to 7 p m), you could buy a seat for Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,000 on some of these budget carriers, many of whom have been running promotional schemes to drive occupancies.
GoAir has been selling tickets for Rs 500, minus taxes, under a festive offer. Indigo, which offers a wider network, has come up with a similar promotional offer. Of course, these offers are available for a limited period on select routes.
Deccan has teamed up with SBI credit card holders can buy tickets for Rs 500 plus surcharges on most sectors serviced by Deccan, barring flights to Port Blair from Kolkata and Chennai.
Full-service airlines are still drawing up their strategy for the lean season, and you can expect more airlines to come up with cheaper fares.If you had planned your trip in advance, you could have availed of promotional fares from these airlines.
14/01/08 Ranju Sarkar/Business Standard/Rediff.com

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2008