NEW DELHI: Flyers groaning under the weight of soaring air fares will now have a cheaper option if they opt out of food or snacks when they book a domestic Air India flight. The airline has mooted this proposal as a pro-consumer initiative and plans to launch it on a trial basis on a few short duration flights.
Unlike other airlines, Air India has always included complimentary meals in all its domestic flights. If the duration of the journey is less than an hour, snacks are provided but it is classified under 'Meals' nomenclature only in the ticket.
An Air India source said, “This will be a fully optional service. The move will reduce the fares by Rs 500 to Rs 600 for those travelling by Economy class. It will not be introduced for Premium Economy or Business class.” The free beverage served (Coffee/tea/water) presently to all our flyers will continue.
The move will initially be introduced on a pilot basis on short duration routes including Delhi-Amritsar, Delhi-Chandigarh and Bengaluru-Hyderabad. “Based on the customer response, it would be extended to the Economy category across its network. It will always remain optional only. The objective is to empower passengers with choice,” the source said.
“This will be launched only after the top management committee gives its green signal to it. It includes the CEO apart from representatives from different departments like Catering, Customer Service and so on,” the source added.
Elaborating on how the system works, another source said that while booking a domestic Economy ticket, Air India offers three options presently - Value, Classic and Flex. These options permit different weights for check-in baggage varying between 15 kg and 25 kg with slightly differential fares. “We plan to introduce another option, called Basic. This will permit one to opt out of food,” he explained.
Another source said, “It is a pro-consumer initiative. Flyers may have prior plans to have lunch elsewhere before boarding a flight, someone may be fasting or some may prefer only home-cooked food. Why should these people pay for something they do not want?”
Asked how the move will benefit the airline, another Air India source elaborated, “We are not going to gain anything major on the financial front. However, it will make us more competitive in the domestic market. Price-conscious passengers choose our competitor IndiGo because their fares are slightly lesser than Air India. However, they do not offer complimentary meals like our airline does. If our fares reduce a bit, we get back the competitive edge.”
