Airlines take fare war to new skies with festive offerings

New Delhi: It’s that time of the year when international air traffic surges. Though, across the board, airfares will go up by 10-15%, the ‘fare war’ has ensured some great deals for those travelling overseas.
While on the UK sector, Kingfisher, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and even Air India are offering basic fare of less than Rs 10,000, there are lucrative offerings on some other routes too, thanks to slow demand.
Singapore Airlines is offering a return fare of Rs 9,000 for its daily flight to Singapore. The carrier has reduced its fuel surcharge in the wake of softening of jet fuel prices. Malaysia Airlines has a return airfare of Rs 18,000 on the India-Australia sector, which is almost half of what it was earlier. Most of these fares are valid till December-end.
As peak season sets in, travellers can opt for cheap fares on the India-UK route as Air India and Virgin Atlantic too have entered the fare war started by British Airways and Kingfisher Airlines, the debutante in international skies.
The peak season for international travel starts in October when the inbound traffic is strong. Airlines cash in during this time jacking up airfares. But this year prices during lean season were higher due to spiralling ATF prices. So compared to previous months, the fares are not very high, but are dearer than the last peak season.
High fuel surcharge included under the head ‘taxes and surcharges’ and not in the base fares continues to dampen the party.
10/09/08 Vishakha Talreja/Economic Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2008