Source: CCTV.com

12-17-2008 11:07

Special Report:   Global Financial Crisis

Airlines have begun offering cheap tickets in a bid to attract more travellers and counter the slowing global economy. The cheapest ticket in China is on sale for just 99 yuan.

Airlines have begun offering cheap tickets in a bid to attract more travellers and counter the slowing global economy.

Some airlines, including Air China, Sichuan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines, are selling tickets at an 80 percent discount, from Chongqing to Xiamen and to Hangzhou. The price is just 290 yuan and 270 yuan respectively.

Shu Yao, Manager of Chongqing Based-route of Shenzhen Airlines said "The routes from Chongqing to Changsha and to Guilin are the cheapest with 80 percent of the discount. The original price was around 700 yuan, but now it only costs 140 yuan."

A 150-yuan air-ticket, plus 130 yuan fuel tax and airport fee, is a total of just 280 yuan.

Shu Yao said "The tour routes have entered the cold season at the end of year, and the number of travellers is shrinking. Also, the global financial crisis is having an effect, with the number of business travellers also shrinking."

Starting from the end of November, Spring Airlines promoted the cheapest ticket from Zhuhai to Shanghai, for just 199 yuan. Southern Airlines followed, introducing special prices for trips to Shanghai. Domestic airline companies began to introduce various deals to attract travellers and counter the slowing economy. Experts said such a phenomenon will last till the early 2009.

Click for more news in Biz China>>

 

Editor:Xiong Qu