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Jet cuts fares, minister talks against cartels
Jet Airways announced a new cut-rate fare scheme. At the very least, Jet’s latest move would address Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel’s warning against cartelisation in the industry.
Jet Airways announced a new cut-rate fare scheme on Wednesday, adding to a uncertain scenario in the industry in which airlines, trying to retain passengers but yet trying to manage costs amid a slowdown, are mired in a welter of confusing fare charts.
At the very least, Jet’s latest move would address Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel’s warning against cartelisation in the industry.
Jet nd its subsidiary Jetlite said tickets booked a month before the date of journey would start at as low as Rs 3,000 for a one-way economy class ticket.
The latest scheme comes a day after major airlines raised its normal fares by between Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 on routes having high traffic including the most congested Delhi-Mumbai sector.
“The ministry is against any cartelisation amongst airlines. We will keep a watch and take strict action in any such case. We will ensure that competitive pricing ensures better prices to the passengers. Air India shall act as a counter with better pricing and competitive fares,” Patel said in a statement on Wednesday
Jet and Jetlite’s reduced fares announced on Wednesday are under a special scheme often referred to as the “Apex scheme” or the advanced purchase scheme.
These apex fares will be available with immediate affect and will be in force till April 30, on both the carriers and will mostly available on the non-trunk routes.
All airlines had slashed fares barely two months ago following a sharp fall in crude oil prices.
Most of the airlines said the fares hike was affected as airlines were reporting low passenger traffic because of the lean season.
