SpiceJet, IndiGo launch second fare war with 30 pc discount

Mumbai/New Delhi, Jan 31: A second round of fare war was unleashed by SpiceJet today, with Jet Airways and no-frill carriers IndiGo, GoAir and JetKonnect jumping into the race to offer limited period, low-priced air tickets to customers.

With the peak travel season coming to an end, Indian carriers, barring Air India, triggered the second fare war offering low fares across several sectors within the country.

SpiceJet was the first to launch the fare war, announcing a 'Second Chance' sale of 30 per cent discounted tickets on domestic routes for a limited number of seats, which was soon followed by IndiGo's sale of a 'Happy Weekend' offer.

Travel industry sources said GoAir also followed suit with a similar scheme, while JetAirways and JetKonnect offered a 30 per cent discount on the base fare and fuel surcharge like SpiceJet, but did not put any restriction on the weekdays when such tickets would be available for travel. Air India did not join the fare war.

SpiceJet's discounted sale is applicable to customers who book at least 30 days in advance for travel till April 15, the airline said in a release. The bookings under this scheme will remain open from January 31 through midnight Sunday.

The seats under this offer are, however, limited and availability depends on specific date and flight, it said, adding the offer was being extended following "overwhelming success" of its super sale programme announced two weeks ago.

Ten days ago, SpiceJet had triggered a fare war by offering 50 per cent discount on domestic travel for a limited period to beat the March quarter blues.

Soon after SpiceJet announced the sale of heavily discounted tickets, other carriers--IndiGo, GoAir, Jet Airways and Air India--too wooed customers with similar marketing tactics.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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