Airlines slash fares by up to 50% - SpiceJet was first off the blo- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

1/6

SpiceJet was first off the block on Wednesday, Jan. 28, when it offered five lakh seats at fares starting from Rs 1,499. To avail this, flyers will have to book tickets till Friday for travel between February 15 and June 30.

In This Pic : SpiceJet

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

2/6

Jet Airways also joined the sale bandwagon and is offering all-inclusive return tickets starting from Rs 4,459. Under the scheme which is valid till March 31, Jet is offering a Goa-Mumbai-Goa ticket for Rs 4,459. The return fares for Pune-Hyderabad; Kochi-Chennai; Nagpur-Mumbai and Delhi-Leh are Rs 5,019; Rs 5,901; Rs 6,143 and Rs 6,826, respectively. (Pic:USA Today Sports)

In This Pic : Airlines slash fares by up to 50%

3/6

IndiGo, India's largest airline in terms of domestic passenger carriage, lowered its 90-day advance fares. All-inclusive fare from Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa is Rs 3,002; Rs 3,861; Rs 4,693 and Rs 4,694, respectively. Other airlines may follow suit.

In This Pic : Indigo

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

4/6

While airlines are slashing fares now, flying costs may remain prohibitive for passengers in the peak travel months of April-June and October-mid-January. The aviation ministry has junked its recent proposal to cap maximum domestic economy fares at Rs 20,000. An internal aviation ministry note circulated last month had proposed this cap after airlines had hiked fares substantially, following SpiceJet's move to cut capacity from mid-November.

In This Pic : Airlines slash fares by up to 50%

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

5/6

On Wednesday, a ministry spokesman said: "There is no such move to cap fares," echoing airlines' stand that the government should not interfere in fares that are determined by forces of demand and supply.

In This Pic : Airlines slash fares by up to 50%

Pic Courtesy : BCCL