Tries to lure back passengers it lost during the pilots' agitation
Tries to lure back passengers it lost during the pilots' agitation
Jet Airways, which got back to flying yesterday, is trying to placate miffed frequent flyers with a 50 per cent discount on its economy airfares.
The airline, which lost revenues of Rs 100 crore since its pilots reported 'sick', also reported a 50 per cent drop in the passenger load factor number of passengers flown with other airlines gaining hugely from the strike.
While the discount will cover basic fare and fuel surcharge, it will not include the airport surcharges to be paid by passengers.
The special fares will be sold between September 14 and 16 and is valid for travel till September 18.
In a mailed statement, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, Jet Airways, said, "With these new low, limited-time fares, we hope to welcome travellers back aboard Jet Airways' and Jet Airways Konnect's extensive domestic services, which cover the length and breadth of the country between them."
Welcome move
Meanwhile, the Air Passengers' Association of India (APAI) has welcomed Jet Airways' move.
"We are waiting till Monday to check on the fares. If it is sky high, we will write to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and send a copy to the prime minister," APAI national president Sudhakar Reddy said.
Reddy is piqued that all airlines got together and hiked fares as a cartel.
Air India said in an e-mailed statement that it had not hiked its fares or overcharged passengers in the wake of the agitation by Jet Airways' pilots.
It also said it would continue to maintain its fares at the pre-strike level.
"Air India has ensured travel of general passengers on its flights by keeping its fares at normal levels."
"The airline would continue to maintain its fares at the pre-strike level so that those not being able to afford travel on other airlines because of higher fares can travel as they would in a normal environment," said Jitendra Bhargava, AI executive director, corporate communications.
Fares are fine
On Friday, aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar had met all the airlines asking them to retain their fares at last week's level. This is after taking note of media reports of airlines raising fares by 50 to 100 per cent to cash in on this obvious market opportunity.
Interestingly, a DGCA press release said it had found fares in compliance with the DGCA directives that were issued recently.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
