IA narrows gap with Jet

New Delhi: Indian Airlines (IA) has inched ahead of its nearest rival, Jet Airways, in terms of revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) per day share for the first time in five years. According to a statement from IA, the latest figures for the month of March show that IA now has a 21.9% RPK share, which is slightly ahead of Jet's at 21.7%.

In addition, the airline says it has also enjoyed the highest seat factor in March at 71.8%, which is higher than the industry average of 69.5%.

Though IA may be ahead in RPK share, the passenger market share figures show that Jet is still the leader at 22.9%. IA, however, claims to be closing the gap here as well and the difference between the two is of a percentage point, at 21.9%. This shows a remarkable improvement for IA over January, when the Jet enjoyed a 25% share against IA's 17%.

Another important development is the fact that IA has witnessed a 20% growth from last March, even as other big airlines have suffered a negative trend.

According to IA chairman and managing director, V Trivedi: "In spite of our concessional fares that even match those offered by low cost carriers, we have been doing two things - maintaining ourselves as a trustworthy full service airline. Our aggressive marketing and passenger-friendly offers like giving executive class tickets at slightly more than full economy fare will only get better now."