Fliers turn to biz class but at slow pace

New Delhi: There are early signs of an upturn in the number of air passengers travelling in business class worldwide but fares have remained low due to intense competition and airlines have seen a sharp drop in earnings from this segment.
According to the latest data compiled by the International Air Traffic Association ( IATA), the July numbers were still well below the levels seen a year ago.
But the decline was a lower 14.1 per cent compared to the 21.3 per cent fall in June. " This means that premium passenger numbers rose between June and July," the IATA report points out.
Commercial airlines including Air India and Jet Airways have also been offering freebies such as free tickets for spouses to woo business class travellers as these high- value seats are going empty.
Air India, which depends a fair deal on public sector companies and government officials to generate revenue, is expected to be further affected by the official austerity measures that have been put in place.
21/09/09 India Today

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2009