Air travel to get dearer

Ticket prices of even low-cost airlines will go up by Rs 1,000-2,000 due to unbundling of services

Want an aisle seat or carry 10 kilograms (kg) more luggage? Pay anywhere between Rs 200 and Rs 2,000 more. With the government allowing airlines to unbundle air fares, the cost of flying is beginning to go up. So much so that low-cost airlines are becoming as expensive as their full-fare counterparts, if one wants some additional services.

Some airlines, such as Air India, have already reduced the free check-in baggage from 20 kg to 15 kg. Others like Jet Airways announced the reduction, but revoked it. And new entrant Air Asia has no free baggage policy. In other words, with the reduction in the weight allowed, one will either have to carry less or pay more while flying Air India while Air Asia will charge you per kg.

Until now, there was no additional charge for choosing a particular seat while booking your ticket. But now if you want a seat with extra leg space (usually the front row or the emergency exit row) or if you want a window or an aisle seat, then be prepared to shell out anywhere between Rs 100-500 depending on the choice of seat.

When Business Standard tried to book an Indigo ticket for Delhi-Mumbai on the airline's website, the price was Rs 9,028 without the extra services and fees and Rs 11,328 with the extra services and fees. This included 10 kg excess baggage (Rs 2,000), choice of a window seat (Rs 200) and a convenience fee of Rs 100.

Experts say there could be other ways airlines will use to make fares more expensive. Jay Bhatia, chairman at Travel Agents Association of India says apart from meals, seat preference and excess baggage, airlines are already charging something called a 'CUTE' fee - for using the central reservation facilities. The list of services could just get longer.

Indiver Rastogi, senior vice president & head - global enterprise business, Thomas Cook (India), says, "The revenue from ancillary services is poised to get even more creative, and for the aviation industry it is also a matter of survival. A standard case of a one-way domestic ticket, where a traveller opts for a meal coupled with a beverage and an advanced seat booking, would result in an additional charge of approximately Rs 1,000-1,250."

No wonder, travel experts warn that one has to be smarter while booking tickets. "Passengers should compare not only the fares between airlines, but also check the final ticket price including the additional charges. The unbundling has complicated the whole booking process," says Sharad Dhall, president, Yatra.com.

To cut costs or avoid nasty surprises, weigh your luggage beforehand. It is also advisable to use the facility of web check-in to save the additional cost of seat allocation charges. For now, there is no extra charge for web check-in. But it is possible airlines may charge a premium for web check-in, going forward. "Low-cost airlines are trying to compete with the regular airlines by charging additional charges for services. These charges are not helping travellers in any way,'' Bhatia says.