There was a time when web services was the scourge of national airline carriers. Faced with stiff competition from the private airlines and with the advent of the internet in every sphere of life, Air India introduced online booking services some time back. But the services failed to take off, partly for the lack of ease of booking, and partly for the lack of awareness among the public.
But going by the latest figures, the era of online flying has arrived. In just under two years, the number of booking from online facilities has increased from a figure of around 400 a day to 2700 a day. The web sales have also seen a jump from about Rs 60-65 lakh previously to about Rs 1.25 crore.
What makes airline booking an advantageous scenario is the discounts available to the customers. Firstly, the lack of the “middlemen”, travel agents in this case, saves the customer from paying commission. Secondly, Air India offers a flat discount of Rs 200 on any web booking. A cherry on top of the pie is the fact that Air India has started a special scheme for customers flying economy class between 9th March and 30th April. According to this scheme, Air India will offer 10 per cent discount on any booking in the economy class made through the web.
The ease of service has also served as another big factor in the jump in the number of online bookings. Because the tickets can be booked any time from 4 hours to 360 days before departure, depending on availability, air ticket booking has become a hassle-free affair. The payment can be made online using a credit card and the e-ticket is then mailed to the customer.
The airline industry has been struggling for the past few years. Bogged down by economic recession and rising jet fuel prices, it is only now that the industry has seen some sort of revival. According to the latest figures released, there has been an increase of about 22.7 % in the number of domestic passengers in January this year, as compared to the same period last year. Success of the online booking facility is an encouraging sign in such a scenario. While the revamp of the Air India website last year has had no small role to play in this development, these are certain indications of a recovering economy in general and civil aviation industry in particular. Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear, customer is the King for the Maharaja .
Dear Rachit,
You have your facts slightly wrong – the passenger doesn’t pay the travel agent a commission; the airline does since the agent sells you a ticket on behalf of the airline and the dealer/agent’s margin is the cornerstone of the retail trade in any product.
Neither does the elimination of the “middlemen” translate into a reduction fare; the airline simply pockets the extra income.