AI does a Jet, slashes fares by up to 8%

Mumbai: Soon after the halt in its pilots’ protest, Air India has come out with discounted fares to win back lost customers. The national carrier
that is slowly limping back to normalcy after the four-day strike, said there will be a maximum of 8% cut in fares for 3-6 months in different categories. The airline had lost around Rs 84 crore in cancellations during the strike period. In a move similar to Jet Airways’ measures after its own pilots strike, Air India placed advertisements in national newspapers welcoming travellers back and offered discounts, where passengers can save up to Rs 3,000 in different plans.
Air India is offering schemes where a passenger can buy a four-coupon economy class ticket for Rs 41,316 with a validity of three months for single user, a drop of 8% compared to the earlier fare. Similarly, an eight-coupon economy class single user tickets can be bought for Rs 82,632 with a validity of six months.
The Maharaja, as the carrier is also called, has introduced different plans for corporate houses, where employees can buy corporate tickets in the economy class with 12 coupons, for Rs 1,23,948 having six months validity, with multiple user facility. A 12-coupon executive class multiple user ticket with a validity of six months will cost Rs 1,66,800. It means an employee can use at any date like an open ticket.
02/10/09 Mithun Roy/Economic Times