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IA not to hike fares now

August 16, 2004 14:24 IST

Ruling out any immediate hike in the air fares despite 'worrying scenario' of rising fuel costs, Indian Airlines on Monday said it may make net profits this fiscal if the buoyancy in the air travel continues.

IA Chairman Sunil Arora, however, indicated that it would explore the possibility of revising rates in 3-4 months if the fuel prices continue to rise.

"The price of Aircraft Turbine Fuel reached a four-year high this August at Rs 27,000 per kilolitre, but we would like to wait and watch for sometime unless there is another spiral in the fuel prices," Arora told reporters when asked about the possibility of tariff hike.

The national carrier had hiked its tariff in March this year when the cost of ATF was Rs 26,000 per kilolitre. In April, it had come down to Rs 25,000 per KL but has been on the upswing ever since.

Arora said high ATF prices was a 'worrying scenario' for the airline and it may have to rethink on its tariff "if it continues like this for three to four months."

Fuel prices would also be crucial for the IA's financial position this fiscal.

"If buoyancy in passenger traffic continues, it is possible to break-even even with this fuel prices. But, if the rise continues, we may have to rework the figures," he said.

Asked about the impact of the entry of low-cost airline Air Deccan on Indian Airlines' market share, Arora said: "Their schedule has come out only on Saturday and we are keeping a track."

He said IA would not try to match Air Deccan's fares as the national carrier already has its concessional Apex schemes.

"They (Air Deccan) have a different model altogether. We have our various Apex schemes and frequent flyer schemes.

"If we bring out more such schemes, they will not be Air Deccan-centric but determined by the market," Arora said.

On the equity infusion, he said it was on the government to decide on the timing and amount.



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