'Tis okay to fly heavy

Students headed overseas for studies have juicy baits dangled by airlines.

Indian students off to take up fall admissions at overseas universities are an attractive enough market for airlines to devise special packages for them. On offer: concessional fares and extra baggage allowances.

Air-India, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Swiss, Delta, Malaysian, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, you name it, almost every carrier is keen on the business. After all, an industry estimate puts the opportunity at over 10,000 outbound students.

"Of this, 70 per cent are West-bound travellers, mainly towards Europe and US," says a source, "over 15-20 per cent of the students are flying to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. China is also emerging as a hot destination."

First-time students tend to fly fully loaded, and airlines such as Air-India are even offering a double baggage allowance to some destinations. At a routine excess charge of Rs 1,000 per kg (beyond the 20 kg economy free limit), an extra 20 kg is worth Rs 20,000.

India's flag-carrier claims a 40-per cent share of the West-bound sector, and is luring students headed for the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and China, though the 20-kg excess offer is for flights to Europe.

On US-Canada routes, Air-India is letting on one additional piece of baggage (two pieces is the normal limit). "This facility is applicable only to gateway points such as New York, New Jersey, Los Angles and Chicago," says a senior Air-India executive.

In close competition is British Airways, which has announced a return fare of Rs 20,000 and a one-way fare of Rs 11,000 for students with an option of taking 23 kg extra baggage.

"British Airways is also connecting flights to Delhi and Mumbai on Air Sahara for those who are not able to get confirmed seats from Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai," says Sriram Narayan, central India manager, British Airways.

Meanwhile, Jet Airways has revised its free baggage allowance for students travelling to London from India between July to September. Students can now take 46 kg of baggage, double the regular economy class limit.

The idea of appealing to students has become so popular that even domestic carriers are following suit. GoAir is now offering 10 per cent off on its base fare to students "" upon presenting identity proof "" on domestic flights.

It's part of a programme to offer discounts to senior citizens and other categories. "Students are the future of our country," says Jeh Wadia, managing director, GoAir, "We are the first private carrier to offer these special fares to these key segments of our society. I would also like to clarify that these are not a promotional gimmick and time-bound, but a permanent fare."

It's a way to innure the brand in student memory. The promise of permanence doth make for loyalty.