Air India introduces stopover packages in Delhi

Air India introduces stopover packages in Delhi

Air India has established Delhi as its Hub and schedules have been progressively built to facilitate transfer connections at Terminal-3 (T3), particularly from Domestic to International flights and vice versa. About 3,000 Air India passengers already transit daily through T3.

To further enhance the hub experience, Air India has introduced a unique stopover product, branded Air India Stopover Packages. The Stopover package will enable passengers transfer-connecting on AI flights over Delhi to experience the city, with a range of accommodation on offer to fit all budgets.

The Stopover Packages offers the facility of web-based hotel booking, airport/hotel transfers, and sightseeing options in and around Delhi. A range of hotels, from budget to 5-star category, located in and around the Airport zone are available, including the hotel located inside Terminal 3 itself.

A unique feature of the product is ‘Day Rates’, which allows ‘wash-and-change’ facilities to the passenger at select hotels. Other options that can be added include:

– Overnight stay rates inclusive of Airport pick-up, breakfast & taxes with option to upgrade room. 

– Extended stay. 

– Day Use Rates for ‘wash-and-change’ facility (4 or 6 hours as per hotel rules). 

– Departure transfers. 

– Add half or full day sightseeing. 

– Car hire. 

– Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra. 

Ryanair criticised over new card charge

Ryanair has clashed with fair trading officials over plans to introduce a new charge on all bookings made using a credit card.

Ryanair's newest fee is a two per cent credit card charge.

In a statement issued yesterday Ryanair said that the two per cent fee – which will be effective from tomorrow – will allow it comply with a recent ruling by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

But today the Government body rejected its claim.

"We have not required any airline to introduce new payment charges, increase their credit card charges or scrap any discounts they wish to offer,” said an OFT spokesman. "We took action to make sure that debit card charges are included in the headline price and credit card charges are transparent and not sprung on shoppers towards the end of the booking process."

The no-frills airline was quick to issue its own assessment of the OFT's response. “Ryanair is disappointed, but not surprised, by the OFT’s attempt to distance themselves from their anti-consumer rulings," said a spokesman. "Before the OFT imposed these baseless changes, airlines could partner with card providers to allow their cardholders the exclusive advantage of avoiding such fees.

"As the OFT has removed our ability to help passengers avoid fees through exclusive partnerships perhaps they may wish to pay these fees on the consumers’ behalf."

Ryanair already charges an “admin fee” of £6 per flight per person on all bookings. This charge has always been avoidable for those customers who pay with a Ryanair Cash Passport – leading many to assume the admin fee is simply a card charge by another name. However, passengers who pay for their flight with a credit card will have to pay both charges from tomorrow.

The airline also announced yesterday that passengers who pay with a Ryanair Cash Passport will no longer be exempt from paying the admin fee.

Ryanair’s other charges include a 25p per person, per flight “ETS Levy”, introduced in response to the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme; a £2 per person, per flight “EU 261 Levy”, which it says covers the cost of compensating passengers for delays; and a £6 per person, per flight “Web Check in” fee.

How Ryanair's fares escalate

Return flight from London Stansted to Marrakesh

Out: Feb 3

Return: Feb 7

1 x adult = £46.48

EU 261 Levy = £4

Web check-in = £12

ETS Levy = 50p

Headline fare = £62.98

One checked bag (15kg limit) = £30

Reserved seating = £20

Admin fee = £12

Running total = £124.98

Credit card fee: 2% of £124.98 = £2.50

Total fare = £127.48