Airlines of India - May be best not to buy any tickets right now

Unless ones needs to fly immediately, it may be better not to buy any tickets on Indian carriers for a few days. Fares have been jacked up:

Airlines take passengers for a ride, charge more...
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_airlines-take-passengers-for-a-ride-charge-more_1288992

Fares soar...
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/fares-soar-as-airlines-chip-in-to-help-jet/369651/

As just one data point, I have been looking at SIN-DEL-SIN fares and there has been a sudden removal of lower priced booking classes. This was more evident in 1-connection flights with domestic segments like BOM-DEL.

There's a good chance that once the strike settles in a few days, things will be back to normal. Don't panic, be patient.

The government ordered airlines to keep fares as they were on 5 or 6 September, as of today's TOI.

And this can be confirmed as true, based on tomorrow's fares for the DEL-BOM trunk route, where I was pricing a flight for someone - only 3k, versus the 11,500/- + that they were gouging fliers recently, due to the Jet pilots strike... :eek:

Unless ones needs to fly immediately, it may be better not to buy any tickets on Indian carriers for a few days. Fares have been jacked up:

Airlines take passengers for a ride, charge more...
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_airlines-take-passengers-for-a-ride-charge-more_1288992

Fares soar...
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/fares-soar-as-airlines-chip-in-to-help-jet/369651/

As just one data point, I have been looking at SIN-DEL-SIN fares and there has been a sudden removal of lower priced booking classes. This was more evident in 1-connection flights with domestic segments like BOM-DEL.

There's a good chance that once the strike settles in a few days, things will be back to normal. Don't panic, be patient.

Good to know.

However it could be that the airlines know that BOM-DEL, the busiest corridor in the country connecting economic and political hubs, would be under intense scrutiny.

Some other flights I was watching jumped about 50% and haven't come down yet. I have no way to know if they actually sold out the less expensive seats in the normal fashion, but the timing and suddenness was suspicious.

Two more recent reports suggest that price by gouging Indian carriers has persisted despite government's protestations.

Carriers defy [government], persist with high fares:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/business/india-business/Carriers-defy-DGCA-persist-with-high-fares/articleshow/5001093.cms

After airlines failed to comply with the order...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/mumbai/Highly-un-fare-govt-tells-airlines-again/articleshow/5001132.cms

I am going to wait a few days before buying any air travel on Indian carriers.

DEL-BOM went down 1 Rupee from yesterday - now at Rs. 3,028/-.

DEL-BOM went down 1 Rupee from yesterday - now at Rs. 3,028/-.
Just give it a few more years at that rate, and the ticks will become affordable ;-)

Just give it a few more years at that rate, and the ticks will become affordable ;-)Back up to Rs. 3,029/-! :p

I can only assume that the Time of India is reporting about the country as a whole. Still, an interesting contrast from what you see in DEL-BOM sector. :)

Chennai-Delhi one-way costs Rs 29,000
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chennai/Day-3-of-Jet-Airways-imbroglio-Chennai-Delhi-one-way-ticket-costs-Rs-29000/articleshow/4996777.cms

[Government] cracks whip on airlines found overcharging: (so at least some are)
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/20090911/dgca-cracks-whip-airlines-found-overcharging-fares.htm

Air India claims no hike in its fares...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/business/india-business/No-hike-in-fares-despite-Jet-strike-Air-India/articleshow/5002573.cms

Kingfisher says would cut fares - from January 1! (Great PR move :))
http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/29092027/Jet-Airways-Kingfisher-reduce.html

I can only assume that the Time of India is reporting about the country as a whole. Still, an interesting contrast from what you see in DEL-BOM sector. :)

Chennai-Delhi one-way costs Rs 29,000
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chennai/Day-3-of-Jet-Airways-imbroglio-Chennai-Delhi-one-way-ticket-costs-Rs-29000/articleshow/4996777.cms

[Government] cracks whip on airlines found overcharging: (so at least some are)
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/20090911/dgca-cracks-whip-airlines-found-overcharging-fares.htm

Air India claims no hike in its fares...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/business/india-business/No-hike-in-fares-despite-Jet-strike-Air-India/articleshow/5002573.cms

Kingfisher says would cut fares - from January 1! (Great PR move :))
http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/29092027/Jet-Airways-Kingfisher-reduce.htmlOld news actually...MAA-DEL is now 6k only (for *today*).

Flights tomorrow are 4.579k INR only.

Old news actually...MAA-DEL is now 6k only (for *today*).

It is understandable that headlines like that (Rs. 29K) would pick extreme examples.

Flights tomorrow are 4.579k INR only.

So the trend is down but not stabilized and still above pre-strike levels (which the Times quotes as 3K): which would suggest waiting & watching. Unless of course one needs to fly immediately; necessity trumps all other considerations. :)

I have a domestic trip coming up on 9W in a month (on very cheap fare class, booked via ZUJI). Let's see what happens...

Do you think ZUJI would let me rebook this on IT?

Back up to Rs. 3,029/-! :p
Tch tch tch, the effects of a free market economy, I tell you !!!