AI offers discounted ticket for intl, domestic travel

NEW DELHI: In a bid to attract business travellers, cash-strapped Air India today announced heavy discounts on First and Business Class international tickets and a ten per cent cut in base fare on any ticket booked on its website.

"A 50 per cent discount would be available on the highest market basic fare for First Class travel to the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Tokyo, Jeddah and Riyadh," an airline release said.

Under the scheme, those travelling in Executive Class to the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam on AI coded flight and to Dubai in IC coded ones can avail a 40 per cent discount on the highest market basic fare. All taxes and levies would be extra, it said.

For example, if the highest return base fare in First Class between London Heathrow and Delhi on a particular day is Rs 3 lakh, a First Class passenger can avail a base fare of Rs 1.5 lakh, besides paying the taxes and fees.

The discounts would be applicable on tickets purchased from March 8 to 13 and the outbound travel had to be made between March 15 and June 30 this year, it said.

Air India also announced a 10 per cent discount on basic fare of an economy class ticket bought through the airlines' website on both international and domestic sectors.

This discount would be valid from March 9 till April 30 for international flights originating from India as well as for AI's domestic flights.