Air India crash: Bookings down by 20%, fares dip up to 15% on domestic and international routes

Air India flight bookings have dipped by around 20 per cent on international as well as domestic routes, while average fares have dropped by 8 to 15 per cent as a result of the Ahmedabad plane crash last week, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) President Ravi Gosain said on Friday, as per a report.

The Air India plane crash on June 12 shocked the nation as AI-171, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed in Ahmedabad. All on board except one died on the spot, with the total death toll being pegged at over 270, considering that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a residential building in the Meghaninagar area of the city shortly after takeoff.

An Air India spokesperson did not respond to a query seeking comments from the airline, PTI reported.

"Following the unfortunate incident involving Air India, we have observed a temporary decline in bookings, particularly on international sectors. While the exact percentage varies by route, our estimates indicate a dip of around 18–22 per cent on international bookings and a 10–12 per cent decline domestically in the immediate aftermath. However, this appears to be a short-term sentiment-driven reaction, as confidence typically stabilises over time," Gosain was quoted as saying by PTI.

Air India fares witness drop

IATO president Ravi Gosain also informed that a moderate fare adjustment had been observed across key routes of Air India, dropping by up to 12 per cent on domestic routes and 15 per cent on international ones.

"On an average, ticket prices have reduced by 8–12 per cent on domestic sectors where the airline competes directly with low-cost carriers like IndiGo and Akasa. On international routes, especially to Europe and Southeast Asia, fares have seen a drop of 10–15 per cent, depending on route occupancy and competition. These reductions are a mix of promotional strategies and yield correction due to lowered demand," Gosain told the news agency.

Asked whether there have been cancellations by travellers for Air India flights booked via tour operators, the IATO president said, "Yes, we have witnessed a noticeable rise in cancellations, particularly from corporate and high-end leisure travellers who prefer to switch to alternative carriers".

He informed that the increase in cancellations was 15–18 per cent internationally, and 8–10 per cent domestically over the past week. However, this trend may normalise in the coming days as no systemic safety issue has been reported and authorities like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reaffirm Air India's compliance with international safety standards.

Up to 20% decline in bookings

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) General Secretary Rajiv Mehra also shared that an up to 20 per cent decline in bookings has been observed for Air India flights while the fares have turned cheaper by about 10 per cent on certain sectors where there is high competition with other carriers.

"As far as Air India is concerned, fares are around 10 per cent cheaper for both domestic and international routes than other airlines on certain sectors. Besides, there is a 15-20 per cent decline in new bookings for Air India flights on domestic as well as international routes after the crash," Mehra said.

He asserted that all airlines have to pull up their socks as far as aircraft maintenance is concerned, to ensure passengers.

(With PTI inputs)