Originally Posted by
CommittedLurker
I don't know where you are getting this info from. IME, AI (an Indian carrier) is usually the cheapest out there ex: India.
AI usually has to be the cheapest, otherwise many people won't travel with them. It has been reported so many times in the Indian newspapers over the past few years, that AI reduces fares when all Indian carriers are bleeding with losses over high fuel prices.
It's not just mismanagement and unions that have led to AI's losses. They often sell their product too cheap as well.
When I visited SIN/BKK/DXB from India, AI always worked out cheaper than EK/SQ/9W, but I still took one of the other carriers for better service, comfort, and reliability.
I thought so too, but I didn't call it out as I wasn't absolutely sure about who offered cheaper fares in general. You are also absolutely correct about India-SIN/KUL/BKK fares. AI is often the cheapest.
Charging a higher fare in a hub captive market is not a concept accepted in Indian bureaucracy. Usually, shorter distance means lower fares than longer distances.