SUDIPTO DEY

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2005 11:14:42 PM]

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NEW DELHI: The year ’06 may well mark a new high for international low cost airlines flying into India. Singapore-based Jetstar Asia will fly Bangalore-Singapore five-times a week with an introductory fare of Rs 6,000 from January 23, ’06, while stepping up its frequency to Kolkata with fares at Rs 3,500-level, exclusive of taxes.

Even as India’s Deccan Lanka prepares to fly out of Colombo to various Indian cities, parts of Gulf and South-East Asia by mid-’06, other LCAs from the region like Malaysia’s Air Asia and Singapore’s Tiger Airways are looking at an Indian stop-over next year.

JetStar Asia executives said the airline is looking at tapping leisure travellers to Singapore and those going for onward holiday destinations like Phuket and Hong Kong. The introductory one-way fare to Bangalore at Singapore$98 and Rs 6,000 for Bangalore-Singapore flight is valid from December 13-19, for travel completed by March 25, ’06.

The no-frill JetStar flight will come with digEplayer service, which combines music, movies and sitcoms in each seat at an additional cost of Singapore$12 per flight. Hot food, snacks and beverages along with duty free items can be purchased on board.

Malaysia’s Air Asia plans to connect metropolises like Kolkata and Chennai over the next one year, while Singapore’s Tiger Airways too plans to connect to major metros in India in ’06.

Airline industry sources said at least two other LCAs from South East Asia are looking at flying to India over the next one year. This comes at a time when India’s airlines are flying out to tap destinations in East Asia and the Gulf.