War over the Westminster link

CHENNAI IS the gateway to Westminster for many. Nine hours by a jet and a short nap separate the hot and dusty city, its noisy autorickshaws and skeletal flyovers, from the cool order of flyover-free London.

But there are more carriers now looking for passengers to the British capital. British Airways generated a lot of heat and dust a few years ago with a publicity blitzkrieg - ``The World has shrunk'', opening up the area of discounts on air fares.

And now, the foreign airline is again in the race. Customers opting for a particular newspaper get ``considerable discounts'' on fares to London.

Is it the ``Branson effect''? It could well be, considering that Virgin Atlantic airways is all set to unveil competition that rocked the British scene, on flights between India and the U.K.In earlier interviews, Mr. Richard Branson has said in a decontrolled regime, he could offer a seat to London for about Rs. 10,000, which should send shivers across rival Airline Boardrooms. Later, he said one would have to keep one's fingers crossed about India fares, but competition and better service were a certainty.

BA has been quick to provide a special offer during the summer months, with 25 per cent discount on the return excursion published fare valid only for the economy class segment.

The rebate is on offer for travel from July 1 to August 15 and between September 16 and October 31. The scheme works through coupons attached to daily advertisements in the paper.

Speaking on this promotional drive, Mr. Alan Briggs, BA's General Manager for South Asia, explains that: ``This unique promotion, is the first of its kind launched in India by any airline. We have promised our customers that we will introduce special offers''. What next for Chennai, which is directly linked by BA?

By T. S. Shankar

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