the plot thickens.....
Two more airlines reduce fares
By SOMAN BABY
TWO more airlines have followed Gulf Air's lead and reduced their fares.
Qatar Airways and Indian Airlines are the latest carriers to reduce their fares to India.
Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) yesterday endorsed a move by airlines to offer promotional fares for limited periods.
Gulf Air reduced fares by up to 50 per cent to 29 destinations in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Africa and the Indian sub-continent on Sunday.
Gulf Air sought the approval of CAA before implementing the new promotional fares.
"The new fares have been introduced under certain terms and conditions and for a limited period of time," a CAA Air Transport Directorate spokesman told the GDN yesterday.
"It has been made clear at the Board of Airline Representatives meetings that every airline has the right to introduce promotional fares for a limited period, provided the CAA is informed three working days in advance," added the spokesman, in reply to a letter from Air India. Air India had complained that Gulf Air's unilateral decision was a blatant violation of the Yield Improvement Committee (YIC) fares.
"Gulf Air has followed all regulations before slashing their fares - other airlines also have the right to do so," continued the CAA spokesman.
"Airlines wishing to do so should apply in advance and we approve their decision if we find it reasonable."
Qatar Airways reduced its fares to Bombay and Trivandrum to BD139 yesterday, against Gulf Air's BD150.
The fare was earlier BD202 to Bombay and BD244 to Trivandrum.
Gulf Air's new business class fare to these destinations is BD200, while Qatar Airways reduced it to BD149.
"The move has been taken to protect our market share. We have already written to CAA," said a Qatar Airways spokesman.
Indian Airlines reduced its return fares to Calicut to BD210 from BD265, while a one-way fare dropped from BD165 to BD125 yesterday.
"The sales validity is until Monday and outbound travel should be completed before November 30," said Indian Airlines area manager G Dinakaran.
Air India had earlier matched its Bombay and Delhi fares with that of Gulf Air on Sunday.
The Cochin fares were reduced yesterday from BD265 to BD210 (return) and BD165 to BD125 (one way).
The airline also dropped its one-way fare to Bombay and Delhi to BD95.
Gulf Air's fares are based on return travel.
Gulf Air's regional general manager for the GCC and Middle East, Ali Murtaza, said the reduced fares have been welcomed by the travelling public.
"The response in the past two days has been overwhelming," he said.
Meanwhile, travel agents have taken measures to benefit from the new fares introduced by the airlines.
Sunshine Tours is offering three nights accommodation at an extra BD30 each to passengers who fly to Malaysia and Bangkok on Gulf Air at BD150.
Passengers travelling to India are being offered three nights' accommodation in Bombay at BD30 and three nights in Trivandrum at BD35 each, said general manager Abraham John.