The Hindu Business Line : IA exceeds intake target in Hyderabad

DESPITE increased competition from private airlines, Indian Airlines (IA) has far exceeded the target for daily intake of passengers ex-Hyderabad for 2003-04.

As against a target of 1,185 a day set for the year 2003-04, IA at Hyderabad achieved 1,200 a day.

The figure for the whole year was put at 4.40 lakh passengers as against four lakh passengers in 2002-03.

The airlines averaged 1,322 passengers for January, 1,348 for February and 1,200 for March this year.

"A series of tie-ups with other service providers like ABN Amro Bank, American Express and Taj Group helped us attract more passengers," a top IA official told Business Line. "Some promotional schemes like Flayaways, Hotseat and Silver Edge Club launched during the year also helped us," he said. The public sector carrier operates 144 flights a week, which include 101 domestic and 43 international flights.

Referring to `Air travel at train fare' scheme, he said it not only generated interest among passengers, but also helped the airline to use its seat capacities in some international flights more effectively.

The scheme offered tickets at a lower tariff matching first class train fare to major destinations in the country. "We offer discounts up to 60 per cent in these positioning flights," he said.

Ex-Hyderabad, the service is offered to and from Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Chennai.

At the national level, budget estimates for 2004-05 expected to net an operating profit of Rs 16.50 crore, he said. IA is betting on expected improvement in traffic, general health of economy and likely increase in capacity.

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