Other airlines laugh all the way to bank

Mumbai/New Delhi: It was a busy day for other Indian carriers and travel agents after Jet Airways flights were cancelled. Other airlines were laughing all the way to the bank as they capitalised on the extra passenger load when Jet accommodated passengers on their carriers or passengers bought new tickets. The fact that many flights had been operating with low passenger loads proved a boon for stranded Jet passengers. Most of the thousands of stranded passengers found easy accommodation on other flights.
In Mumbai, seats booked at the last minute on even low-cost carriers went at exceptionally high rates due to the sudden demand. Travel experts said that Air India, Kingfisher and even low-cost airlines like Spice Jet and GoAir were charging anywhere from Rs 7,000 to 12,000 per head for different domestic routes.
Travel agents were also busy with cancellations, either filing for refunds or rescheduling trips.
Marzban Antia, chairman, Avesta Travels and Tours, said he cancelled 25% of his bookings for Tuesday and rescheduled almost 40% passengers.
In Delhi, a senior Jet official said all airlines had been very cooperative and had taken in many passengers wherever seats were available.
09/09/09 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2009, Jet Airways Sep 2009