Fare war now on global routes

Initiating a fare war on global routes, Qatar Airways and Singaporean budget carrier Tigerair today announced massive limited-period discounts hoping to corner a chunk of the Indian travel market share.

While Tigerair announced a special one-way base fare of Rs 10 only to Singapore for Indian passengers to commemorate completion of decade-long operations, Qatar Airways launched a global promotional offer of up to 25 percent savings on its tickets to over 140 destinations across the world.

Tigerair's Rs 10 one-way fare offer to Singapore would be applicable only on round trip tickets from India, under which the fare could be as low as Rs 7,499 including taxes, the airline said in a statement.

The Qatar Airways' promotional fare tickets under its three-day 'The World is Yours' global sale would have to be bought between today and Wednesday for travel from September 25 till June 15 next year, the airline said in a statement.

The discount of up to 25 percent is being offered for return travel in all classes for travel from India via its Doha hub, a Qatar Airways statement said, adding that there were limited seats on offer subject to availability.

The airline connects 12 cities in India via Doha to an array of destinations like Barcelona, Dallas, London, Miami, New York, Paris, Rome and several others.

In the statement, its Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said, "Qatar Airways' global sale is eagerly awaited by our passengers and with up to 25 percent discount on return fares, there will never be a better time for our customers to plan leisure or business trips."

Tigerair's tickets which can be booked till September 21 would be valid for travel commencing January 12 to March 31, 2015, and July 21 to September 22, it said.

The airline was also offering special all-in return fares starting Rs 11,999 to destinations like, Bali, Jakarta, Perth, Manila, Hong Kong, Sydney, Gold coast via Singapore. Flights to Sydney and Gold Coast would be operated in collaboration with Scoot, another Singapore-based low-cost long-haul airline, the statement said.

The offers can be availed of on Tigerair's official website from any of the five cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Tiruchirappalli. Tigerair operates total 37 weekly flights to Singapore from six Indian destinations.