The advance purchase fare (Apex) scheme targets vacation travellers in the upcoming summer holiday season luring them from train to air travel and is also an attempt to strengthen the national carrier's foothold in the leisure travel market, an Air India spokesperson said.
The advance purchase fare tickets are available for sale on various routes operated by Air India from today for travel commencing 60 days and beyond.
The national carrier has priced the tickets closely with AC train fares.
The tickets can be bought through travel agents, online travel agents, Air India website and booking offices for travel commencing around the middle of May onwards, he said.
The scheme is likely to invigorate a price war among the airlines, after SpiceJet in January and Jet Airways last month came up with low priced tickets.