To beat the lull of the lean season, airlines are offering discounts on fares for travel during the upcoming monsoon season on domestic and international routes.Vistara, the full-service carrier, announced a four-day sale on June 4 offering one-way domestic fares starting at Rs 1,999 for economy, Rs 2,999 for premium economy and Rs 9,999 for business class.
There was competition among budget carriers — Air India Express and IndiGo — to woo the fliers as both simultaneously launched a limited period ticket sale last week.While Tata group-controlled Air India Express advertised fares starting from Rs 1,177, IndiGo, the country’s largest carrier, announced a sale on both domestic and international flights with all-inclusive fares starting at Rs 1,199.
Air India, the former flag bearer but now under the control of the Tata group, has launched discounted fares starting Rs 2,449. The full-service carrier is also offering up to 70% off on all domestic and international routes on its business class.Akasa Air, one of India’s newest national airlines, is offering 20% off on all flights for travel till September 30.There has been a 5-6% drop in number of daily passengers in June compared to the previous month with the absolute figure hovering around 408,000.
Unlike the summer of 2023 when the airfares broke records, fares during the summer this year have remained largely normal.According to Nuvama Institutional Equities, scheduled flights will be up 8% year on year in June, with market leader IndiGo adding 9% more flights. “The new capacity will bound to have an impact on fares. From the early 90s the PLF (passenger load factor) has fallen to mid-80s,” said a Mumbai-based analyst.
As per data from the ministry of civil aviation, the PLF — the average occupancy rate per aircraft — has dipped to 81% in the first week of June from nearly 90% recorded in June last year. Spot fares on key routes are subdued. For instance, a Mumbai to Delhi direct flight is available at Rs 4,500, which is lower than the typical Rs 5,200-5,500. Similarly, the cheapest ticket on a Mumbai to Chennai flight is priced at Rs 4,600, which is its usual price.