Some good news for air travellers, international air tickets are expected to drop by 40% as the flights will increase after the government lifted the ban on international commercial flights after two years.
Swiss International Air lines (SWISS), part of the Lufthansa group to almost double flights in the next few months, while Singapore Airlines may increase flights by 17%, said executives at these airlines. Domestic carrier IndiGo hopes to resume nearly 100 global flights in the coming months.
The expected fall in international airfares is likely to rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices amid the surge in crude oil prices following Russia and Ukraine war. ATF prices have rallied over and above the 100% hike witnessed last year.
Singapore Airlines currently operates 52 weekly flights from eight cities across India. From March 21 onwards, 61 weekly flights will be ramped up and there will be an increased frequencies of flights from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi and Mumbai.
Scoot, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary, operates 22 times weekly from five cities in India.
Lufthansa and Swiss, which have 22 weekly flights now, will increase the count to 42 by October this year, said a spokesperson.
On March 8, the Indian government announced its decision to resume international flight operations from 27 March.
“After having recognised the increased (Covid) vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from 27.03.2022, i.e. start of the summer schedule 2022,” the Civil Aviation Ministry said.
Ms Kalinga