AirAsia India, SpiceJet make discount offers to spur ticket bookings
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Domestic airlines AirAsia India and SpiceJet launched discount schemes on Monday, offering tickets upwards of Rs 1,122. Bookings can be made between December 27 and 31 and the discount is for tickets between January 15 and April 15.
The move is expected to stimulate forward bookings amid the Omicron scare that has led to increased curbs across states. While travel demand in December remains strong and airlines continue to see around 380,000 daily passengers, forward bookings are looking weak. Additionally, airlines are offering waivers in date change and rescheduling fees to provide better travel flexibility to customers.
“We have not seen an impact in December but clearly Omicron is a dampener. With rising cases, people are in a wait-and-watch mode,” said a travel industry executive. Generally, airlines launch such offers for travel beginning February or March when demand gets weak, but this time around forwarding bookings are slow given Covid-19 uncertainties, he added.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary reason AirAsia India and SpiceJet are offering these discounted fares?
What is the primary reason AirAsia India and SpiceJet are offering these discounted fares?
The airlines are offering discounts to encourage forward bookings. This comes amid the Omicron scare, which has led to increased curbs and a general wait-and-watch approach from potential travellers, weakening future demand.
Q.When can customers book these discounted tickets, and for what travel period are they valid?
When can customers book these discounted tickets, and for what travel period are they valid?
Bookings for the discounted tickets can be made from December 27 to December 31. These reduced fares are applicable for travel planned between January 15 and April 15.
Q.Besides price reductions, what other benefits are airlines providing to encourage bookings?
Besides price reductions, what other benefits are airlines providing to encourage bookings?
Airlines are also offering waivers on date change and rescheduling fees. This aims to provide customers with greater flexibility, addressing uncertainties related to potential travel disruptions due to Covid-19.
Q.How does the timing of these discount offers compare to previous years?
How does the timing of these discount offers compare to previous years?
Airlines typically launch such offers for travel starting in February or March, when demand usually softens. However, this year, the offers are earlier due to slow forward bookings and Covid-19 uncertainties.
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