lowest airline ticket did the trick for no-frills carriers
MUMBAI: lowest airline ticket and promotional discounts have made low-cost carriers (LCCs) the first choice of most Indian flyers. Tour operators say many of their clients have shifted to LCCs because of low fares and many companies have tied up with such airlines to fly delegates because of their better on-time performance (OTP). That LCCs have steadily expanded their network has only helped them increase their clientele base.

"When LCCs started out, their fares were really low compared to full-service carriers (FSCs). Hence, lowest airline ticket attracted a new class of travellers," said a Fort-based travel agent. "Also, they started operations to many tier II cities to reach more people. Even those who were loyal to Air India or other FSCs changed their preferences because they couldn't resist the temptation of lowest airline ticket. Now, even as LCC fares are rising, people prefer them because of their higher OTP."

He said many of his clients flying domestic still prefer an airline that offers the lowest airline ticket on a particular route. "Almost 30% of FSC loyalists have moved over to LCCs as the quality of service in budget carriers has improved dramatically in the last two years."

About companies tying up with LCCs to fly delegations, Rajesh Rateria , managing director, Cirrus Travels, said: "They have internal arrangements that include their employees being served meals on board. The entire deal works out on the lowest airline ticket more than what a company would have to pay for flying a delegation on an FSC.

"Speaking of other passengers, when it comes to a one- or two-hour flight, food on board is not a priority . The option of buying food is always there. Hence, even for people who would normally take an FSC, LCCs have become the first choice."

He said network expansion by LCCs, too, have made many flyers shift preferences. "Now, LCCs cover both metros and small cities. So, they score over FSCs. Many of my clients have moved over to LCCs due to lowest airline ticket."

The only drawback of LCCs seems to be an absence of frequentflyer programmes. "That is why passengers who like using the points they get on frequent-flyer programmes and related benefits, like on Jet Airways or Kingfisher Airlines , continue to fly airlines with such offers," said an airline official.

But tour operators feel LCCs will evolve ways to cater to such flyers . "GoAir has already started Go Business. Other airlines will soon work out schemes on lowest airline ticket to attract such a class of flyers," a Fort-based travel agent said.