Mixed bag for passengers to India via Oman Air

Fares reduced, refund fees increased

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 14, 2006

Airlines will be offering reduced rates to select destinations in South India, the Times of Oman reported. However, the rates are only applicable on one-way fares and valid from February 13 to March 15. According to the report, travel agencies in the Sultanate have already been informed of the lower rates to three Indian cities, Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. The rates have been reduced from RO135 plus RO18 tax to RO90 plus RO18 tax.

The report also said that Oman Air and Indian Airlines have already confirmed the changes, and Gulf Air is expected to follow suit soon.

However, the report pointed to the 'bleak backdrop' of the low fares drama, specifically the introduction of zero discount and the introduction of a service charge that will cover cancellation and rescheduling of tickets. The service charge would be in the range of RO10 to RO40, depending on the destination, and is expected to be higher for agencies dealing in credit than for those dealing in cash.

Passengers are also protesting the lowering of fares to these destinations and not to destinations such as Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. In addition, according to the report, agency sources have confirmed that the lowering of fares will be accompanied with a hike in the refund fee, possibly as much as RO45 per refund, making refunds close to impossible. Called the "killer refund" this is expected to make life difficult for passengers traveling for work-related reasons who frequently cancel tickets depending on their work.