Diwali holiday plans? Book air tickets now Manju V TNN Mumbai: The lean season for air travel has begun. The drop in demand has sent fares south, making this the best time to make advance bookings. As for last-minute bookings, ticket prices in some routes have been cut by as much as 45%. On Tuesday, IndiGo announced 90-day advance-purchase fares. A typical offer was a one-way, all-inclusive Mumbai-Delhi ticket for Rs 3,660. A 60-day advance-purchase ticket (for travel in September) on JetConnect for the same route was available for Rs 3,650. For months now, a last-minute one-way Mumbai-Delhi ticket has hovered in the region of Rs 8,000. During the peak season a while ago, last-minute fares on the route would often start at Rs 10,000. Air Asia could improve situation for flyers Mumbai: Air fares are falling, and how. On Tuesday, fares for next-day travel to Delhi from Mumbai began at Rs 5,500 and stayed thereabouts for flights throughout the day, including morning and evening peakhour flights. “Last-minute fares for Wednesday and Thursday are cheaper than for Monday and Friday,” said Jay Bhatia, chairman, Travel Agents Association of India. Anoop Kanuga of Bathija Travels said, “The lean season has brought down demand, which is why fares have dropped. This is the best opportunity to book for travel during Dussehra and Diwali.” Mumbai-Delhi fares for travel on November 2—a day before Diwali—start at Rs 3,600. Mumbai-Kolkata fares for travel around Dussehra—October 13—are around Rs 4,000. Bhatia said fares were initially dropped by Jet Airways. “Jet has not raised agents’ remuneration, making the yield they get from it lower than other airlines. Agents prefer to sell tickets by lowcost airlines which explains why Jet lowered fares. Agents handle huge volumes; corporates rely mainly on them.” The early booking incentive may become more attractive after Air Asia enters the market. It is known to offer one-year and six-month advance-purchase cheap fares.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:55:25 +0000
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