SpiceJet Offers Fares Starting From Rs 12 In Six-Day Sale

SpiceJet has announced discounted fares for non-stop flights across its network in a limited-period sale. Under its "12th Anniversary Sale", SpiceJet is offering tickets at a discounted base fare of Rs 12, which excludes surcharge and taxes. The Anniversary Sale - applicable on travel between June 26, 2017 and March 24 next year - is open till May 28. Customers bookings tickets during the period also "stand a chance to win free tickets and other exciting prizes in the lucky draw", SpiceJet said on its website.

Under a lucky draw scheme, called "12 saal, bada dhamaal", the airline is offering free domestic and international tickets, among other benefits. Winners of the computerized lucky draw will be announced within ten days of closure of the sale period, SpiceJet said. The airline is offering free international and domestic flight tickets to 12 lucky winners each, according to its website. Other benefits on offer include free vouchers for hotels, cab rides, seats and meals on next booking.

A search on the SpiceJet bookings portal showed flights from Delhi to Mumbai in early July were being offered at Rs 2,100 (including the fare of Rs 12).SpiceJet is also offering free meals and priority check-ins on bookings made from its website - spicejet.com - using HDFC Bank credit cards.

Earlier this month, SpiceJet offered all-inclusive discounted fares starting Rs 849 on select domestic routes.

Many airlines - including Air India, IndiGo, AirAsia, Jet Airways and GoAir - have offered discounted fares and lucrative schemes in the recent past.

Competition among airlines amid robust growth in number of passengers is leading to lower airfares and lucrative schemes for flyers, some analysts say.

Domestic air passenger traffic rose 15.15 per cent to 91.34 lakh in April, data from aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) showed. SpiceJet had the highest passenger load factor PLF during the month under review at 93.4 per cent. Passenger load factor (PLF) is a key parameter to assess an airline’s operational performance.

Meanwhile, economy class air travel is set to become cheaper with tax rate fixed at 5 per cent against the existing 6, under the upcoming indirect tax regime - Goods and Services Tax (GST) - from July 1. Business class tickets are expected to become more expensive as the tax will go up from 9 per cent to 12 per cent.