Wednesday, 24 March 2004 |
Business |
News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries |
Air Sahara will boost Indian tourist arrivals by Shirajiv Sirimane One of the leading Indian domestic airline operators, Air Sahara commenced operations from Chennei to Colombo from Monday. This is the first Indian private airline to fly to Sri Lanka. The CEO of the airline group, U. K. Bose said that the initiative of an open sky policy, which made this possible was taken by Sri Lanka, four months ago. This would increase the passenger movement by nearly 90 percent. "There were 80,000 travellers last year and now we estimate that over 150,000 would travel between India and Sri Lanka," annually he said. Asked to comment of the high Indian airfare he said that with two private airline operators invading the market the price war would start and there is likely to be a drop in the airfares. "Air Sahara rates would be competitive. The airline is targeting the leisure travellers and we are offering attractive package tours," he said. Over 80 percent Indian travellers are tourists while 20 percent are business travels. The open sky policy would be the beginning of a new era in Indian aviation. Air Sahara has permission to operate 21 flights per week to Colombo. Initially they would fly daily to Chennei Colombo. They would launch Mumbai-Colombo in the second phase of their international operations and would subsequently connect Indian Buddhist circuits with Colombo. The airline is working for a wide based aircraft for Colombo operations. Director Jetwing Air, General sales agents for Air Sahara said that they are already offering special fares and packages for Sri Lankans during the April new year holiday season. The flight from Chennai leaves at 10 p.m. and the return flight from Colombo is at 4 a.m. The flying time is 50 minutes. Air Sahara the fastest growing airline in India will arrive on Bandaranaike Airport on March 23 at 4 a.m. from Madras. "The airline is focusing in positioning itself as a compact, professional and passenger airline for the future. "Our aim is to ensure growth of the airline and provide customers with value for money," he said. Air Sahara, formerly known as Sahara Airlines, completed 10 years of service on December 3, 2003. The airline has several 'first' to its credit, which include first domestic private airlines to fly on international route, Colombo since the government opened the skies to the private sector 1993. SriLankan Airlines and Indian Airlines had the monopoly between India and Sri Lanka so far and the airfares are very high for this destination compared to other countries. |
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |