The Hindu Business Line : IA non-metro scheme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: National carrier Indian Airlines has launched the `IA non-metro scheme' that aims to convert occasional, need-based air travellers from these smaller cities and mini-metros locations into regulars.

Announcing this, a spokesman said here that this was intended as part of the airline's efforts at targeting untapped segments in these cities and simulating air travel.

The scheme, which came into effect from July 16, will be valid till October 15, 2004. It covers 224 metro and non-metro combinations, but excludes those sectors that are linked by direct flights of the airline. The non-metro sector can be covered either before or after the travel on metro sector.

Under this new scheme, a passenger would have to pay just Rs 1,000 for the non-metro leg of travel provided this travel is in conjunction with the travel on a metro sector. The fare for the metro sector can be `normal', `excursion', `promotional' or `apex' fare. The add-on fare is also available when the travel on a metro sector is in executive class.