Few takers for advance booking of airline tickets even as traffic improves

Average load factors are still around 55% and most of the bookings are for travel within seven days

Domestic air traffic has been growing month-on-month in June, but customers remain wary about booking tickets for travel 30-60 days in advance, say industry executives. Advance purchase discount offers launched by airlines in the last week had limited traction, they added.

AirAsia India launched its discount offer on June 12 for travel from August 1 with fares starting at Rs 1,177. The offer was timed to celebrate the airline’s seventh anniversary in India and promote its new website. Other airlines including IndiGo followed suit with similar offers and matching low fares. Air India’s regional arm Alliance Air launched its three-day