NOW IT's THE TURN OF FORIEGN AIRWAYS

Taking a cue from price war in the domestic sector, two foreign carriers - Emirates and Air Asia - have cut fares for Indian travellers so as to beat the March quarter blues. Gulf carrier Emirates announced special fares starting Rs 41,867 for economy, and Rs 1.14 lakh for business class from India to Europe, Africa and South America for Indian travellers. Malaysia-based Air Asia too rolled out similar offers. Emirates said its offer is part of India's Republic Day celebrations and commences from today. It is valid for travel up to April 10 and can be booked both on and offline. AirAsia announced all-inclusive fares of low as Rs 4,000 from Kochi, Kolkata and Tiruchirappalli to Kuala Lumpur and called its special offer as 'Valentine Day' fares. As part of the discounted fares offer, travel from Chennai and Bangalore to Kuala Lumpur will now cost only Rs 6,499 inclusive of taxes, the airline said in a release. Explore romantic honeymoon destinations such as Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Penang, Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur for all-inclusive-fare for just Rs 724, the release said adding, the bookings under the offer can be made from February 2 for travel up to July 31. Flyers, who had been paying through the nose for tickets had a big relief this week with top airlines, including state- run Air India, slashing fares by as much as 50 per cent for a limited time to fill the vacant seats in a traditionally weak January-March quarter. The move was triggered by budget carrier SpiceJet, which reduced fares by 50 per cent but was soon copied by all other domestic players -- Air India, indiGo, GoAir and Jet Airways.