New Delhi, June 04: Responding to market pressures, Indian Airlines today announced revamping of its advance ticket purchase system by introducing a new scheme from Saturday and withdrawing a segment of the old apex scheme as also certain sectors being offered earlier. The new 'Smart Apex' fares, which would be marginally lower than similar segment fares currently being offered by the private players, would be effective for travel from June 14 and June 28 respectively for seven and 21 days of advance purchase, an IA spokesman said, adding it would be sold from June seven.
The IA move comes especially in the wake of new apex schemes being offered by private competitors Jet Airways and Air Sahara.
The spokesman said the current 15 day advance fare scheme would stand withdrawn from June seven, though all tickets booked under that scheme till June six would be valid for travel for the date of original booking.
Some sectors, like Delhi-Aurangabad offered under the earlier scheme, would also stand withdrawn, but certain new sectors like Mumbai-Vadodara, Hyderabad-Vishakhapatnam and Delhi-Chandigarh added in the new 'Smart Apex' scheme.
Aimed at shifting preferences, the new scheme would cater to the needs of both business and leisure travellers, the spokesman said, adding that a differential advance booking period for each category would be available under it.
Bureau Report