Low-cost carriers bullish on Sharjah

Low-cost airlines have spotted a new favourite destination: Sharjah. While Air Arabia LLC - Sharjah's national airline and a low-cost player - has started thrice a week service from Nagpur, Air-India also plans to launch four-times a week service from Kozhikode by October.

Eyeing those travelling home for Eid, Air Arabia's fares are up to 40 per cent lower than those of traditional airlines. Air-India's low-cost carrier Air India Express is offering 10-50 per cent lower fares under different slabs.

Rohit Ramachandran, manager - India, Air Arabia, said the airline is offering all economy class configuration with a package of one-way travel to Sharjah at Rs 2,400 (excluding tax).

"We will be operating 162 seater A320 aircraft for the new service. Initial response to the Nagpur service is encouraging," Rohit said.

Air-India Chairman and Managing Director V Thulasidas said Air India Express would be offering fares 20 to 25 per cent lower compared with the present ones.

"In certain cases, a traveller can avail of 50 per cent reduction. We will be deploying 737-800 aircraft for this service which will begin by this month end," Thulasidas said.

He said Air India Express has registered over 90-94 per cent load factor in almost all routes. Indian Airlines and Emirates Airlines are the prominent players in India-Sharjah route at present. The average airfare ranges between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000.

According to Rohit, Air Arabia's fare structure is based on supply and demand. Therefore, booking early would allow customers to take advantage of the lowest available.

"The Gulf-India sector is important to us and we are pleased to be part of the expansion and development of this market. We are continuing our strategy of opening new routes," Rohit said.

"We can offer Indians in the Middle East opportunity to go home or travel for business more often at lower fares as well as connecting Nagpur with strategic destinations in the Gulf," he added.

We look forward to wooing those who have not been able to afford air travel and those who usually travel, to do so more frequently."