New Delhi: Even as the market continued to shrink, budget airline SpiceJet overtook Air India as the thirdlargest domestic carrier by market share in February, on back of its Big Sale scheme that offered a million air tickets at Rs 2,013 apiece.
The scheme helped ensnare a portion of Jet Airways and Air India fliers.
According to latest figures by the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), SpiceJet flew 20.4% of domestic passengers in February against 18.4% in January.
Air India's market share dipped from 20.3% to 18.9% and Jet Airways' from 20% to 19.1% in February. Air India, however, seems unfazed by the loss as the state-run airline believes it would be unsustainable for the private airline to maintain its lead through discount offers.
"We are aware that there is a market share shift due to SpiceJet's offer in January and we don't think it is sustainable," a senior Air India executive said.
31/03/13 Economic Times
