Air-India has announced 20-25 per cent cut in inbound fares as part of their holiday packages during the March-June lean season.

The package is aimed at tourists from Europe, the UK and the Gulf.

The package would be applicable in Europe and the UK from March 15 to June 15, and in the Gulf region from March 15 to September 30, except for June 25 to July 15, said Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain.

The packages would target first-time visitors to India, repeat visitors and senior citizens, he added.

Hussain was speaking at the dividend presentation ceremony of the Airports Authority of India. AAI presented a Rs 55-crore (Rs 550 million) dividend to the government for 2001-2002.

The holiday packages will include return air fare, accommodation, meals and surface transportation, in addition to local sight-seeing.

The packages include specially-negotiated hotel rates in consultation with the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India and the Hotel Association of India.

The hotels offered under the scheme include the Taj group of hotels, Le Meridien and other major chains.

Hussain said the need had been felt for sometime to develop and promote holiday packages to India in the major tourism markets abroad on the same lines as those promoted by other national carriers, such as Emirates and Sri Lankan airlines.

"To begin with, it is proposed to introduce these holiday packages in the Gulf region, Europe and the UK, which are prime tourism markets for India," he said, adding that these holiday packages would be launched in various phases, each phase focusing on a different region in the country.

Hussain said Indian Airlines would also have such holiday packages.

Air-India has in the past adopted a flexible fare policy and has increased or decreased fares as per market demands.

During the peak season of November-December, the carrier had increased fares by about 15 per cent for inbound travellers.

Share your comments

What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 20 Sub: staff being courteous to passengers i would like to make it very clear to the staff of air india that thay do not respect a co indian when compared to ... Posted by k.v.prasad Sub: disc on AI Point 1. Sir, instead of giving discounts to people like NRI's etc who do not really care for that 15% -25% why not think of ... Posted by Nilufer Mistry Sub: At last AI is working as a business firm and not a charity institute What they are doing is right, Indians will go to India anyway, AI is not charitable trust. They are into profit making. So stop asking ... Posted by Maninder Sub: AIr India As an Indian living in France i am to tell that many of the Indians living in France don't prefer to take Air India flights ... Posted by Jithendran Sub: AI Holiday packages. Congrates Air India, The news is great.India is a lovely contry as a tourist destination.This will not only increase the revenue of the Air India ... Posted by sanjay