The Hindu Business Line : SriLankan cuts fares to woo Indian passengers

THE national airline of Sri Lanka, SriLankan has joined the growing list of international airlines wooing Indian travellers with never-before low air fares.

Targeting high-earning young executives, SriLankan Airlines has announced a 50 per cent tariff cut to major global destinations, launching a two-week promotional campaign.

While bookings would close on February 28, outbound journey could take place up to March 31.

Announcing this offer at a press conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Mr Lal Talgaswatte, Manager (Western and Central India) of SriLankan Airlines, said a return ticket to London would cost just Rs 14,190.

Tariff for Tokyo was put at Rs 18,820, Colombo (Rs 5,870), Male (Rs 8,000), Singapore (Rs 9,880), Kuala Lumpur (Rs 9,880), Bangkok (Rs 8,540) and Hong Kong (Rs 11,560).

The rider, however, is that tickets are valid for one month from the date of purchase.

Singapore Airlines (SIA), the German airlines, Lufthansa, Air India (AI) and British Airways (BA) among others are wooing passengers with low fares to different parts of the globe.

While BA and AI are offering a Delhi-London return fare for as low as Rs 19,999, SIA was offering a return ticket to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur for as low as Rs 13,100. The limited time offer of SIA was only available to passenger booking through the airlines Web site.

Similarly, Lufthansa is offering a return ticket to London for Rs 23,850 and to New York for Rs 40,860. Incidentally, most of the fares are available only for a limited time. The Dubai-based Emirates is also offering discounted special return fares of Rs 45,160 to New York till the end of March this year.

Market watchers say that the low fares are available due to a variety of reasons including the fact that right now it is low season for travel from India. "The passenger loads on most flights coming into India is very heavy but flights out of India are not reporting that high passenger loads. This is just one-way of ensuring that people travel," an official of an international airline operating to many destinations here said.

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