India flight fares to remain high on strong demand

Despite Gulf and Indian air carriers increasing capacity and flights between the two regions, fares are unlikely to come down while demand for seats remains high,according to a survey.
As per the new Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey, 2011, released here by Arabian Business weekly magazine, India was voted one of the top global destinations for travellers from the UAE this year and continues to be popular with travelers in the Gulf. "India is consistently popular with people living in the UAE, both because it is home to a large population of expatriate Indians who come to work here in the UAE, but also because of its relatively close proximity, extensive and good value travel links," said Kamran Siddiqi, the General Managerfor Visa Middle East.
Air India already operates around 53 weekly flights to Dubai and its low-fare unit, Air India Express, operates 54 weekly flights. Other carriers in the Gulf and India are also looking to tap the lucrative market.
Qatar Airways said India would be one of its key growth markets in 2011 and recently launched a daily service to Kolkata. It already operates 95 flights a week to 12 other Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Goa.
India's largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo, has also announced routes between Dubai and New Delhi and Dubai and Mumbai. Jet Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai and Jazeera Airways are also eyeing expansion.
27/12/11 PTI/Moneycontrol.com

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Categories: Foreign Dec 2011, Indian Aviation- In General Dec 2011