Air-ticket advance bookings have shot up as airlines have yet again announced a price war to battle the lean season.
Low-cost airlines SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir have announced sales on 30-60 day advance purchase window, with tickets available at as high as at 50% discount across sectors.
In a sale that will be on till January 23, SpiceJet has slashed fares between Delhi and Mumbai to Rs 2,830, while flights from Bangalore to Delhi cost Rs 3,444.
The discount is only valid on travel at least 30 days after the day of the booking, and up to April 15, the airline said.
Air India too is offering up to 50% discount for domestic air tickets booked between January 22 and 24, for travel between February 21 and April 15.
It will offer tickets for the Delhi-Mumbai route at Rs 2,830, Delhi-Ahmedabad at Rs 2,292, and the Agartala-Kolkata route at Rs 1,385.
Industry sources said Jet Airways may also look at slashing fares.
According to experts, the response to these schemes has been tremendous.
“Travellers are finally getting a respite from high airfares and will take advantage of these great prices to book their holidays in advance. We are already seeing over 250% rise in bookings within hours of the prices being reduced. We expect this to go up even further as word about the offer spreads,” said Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com, an online travel portal.
The period between mid-February and March is generally a lean period for air travel. Last year too, the airlines had announced flash sales in order to stimulate sales.
“January-March quarter is traditionally a lean period for leisure travel. After success with similar promotions last year, airlines seem to have to have hit on a winning formula to energise the sector,” said Rajesh Magow, co-founder & CEO-India, MakeMyTrip.
Magow said the portal’s average daily sales of flight tickets went 3x during the flash sales last year.
However, experts believe the move may hit profitability of most of the airlines, which are already under pressure. According to the latest report by Center of Asia Pacific of Aviation, airlines such as SpiceJet and Jet Airways are expected to report record full-year losses for the current fiscal.
Amber Dubey, partner and head-aerospace and defence at global consultancy KPMG said, “It’s a limited period discount offer that will help stimulate demand in a lean quarter. It will help generate cash for the airline. Overall, it’s a good move. The only losers are other airlines which have to match fares.”
What’s on offer?
SpiceJet — Rs 2,830 for Mumbai-Delhi
Rs 3,444 for Bangalore-Delhi
Air India — Rs 2,830 for Mumbai-Delhi
Rs 2,292 for Delhi-Ahmedabad
Rs 1,385 for Agartala-Kolkata
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}