Air travel becomes costly as carriers stop low-fares

Domestic air travellers will now have to pay more with major airlines today saying they have withdrawn the low base fares like those rated at Rs 99, and some no-frill carriers deciding to follow suit over the next few days.

Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines have decided to stop the low-fare advance purchase (APEX) schemes, saying the airfares would now be decided by the market. However, the regular fares and the fuel surcharge are not being touched, spokespersons of these airlines said.

Air India, which sold the lowest-priced ticket at Rs 89 on certain sectors, is now selling them at a base fare Rs 486, plus taxes and fuel surcharge. Sources said some tinkering was being done on the lower class economy fares and "some revision" was being effected.

When contacted, a Jet Airways spokesman said the airline "adjusts fares on a regular basis depending on the market conditions. Recently, the fares have been adjusted on certain sectors and fare buckets. The effected changes are a day-to-day practice in the revenue management of the airline".

However, the full fares on both economy and business classes as well as the fuel surcharge was not being changed, he added.