INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Jet Airways has five categories of economy fares with different levels of benefits.Jet Airways will stop providing free meals to most
domestic economy class passengers from January, in the debt-laden airline's latest move to cut costs and boost revenues
Passengers will, instead, have the option to buy meals on board, the airline said in a statement on Monday
"(The move) reflects the fast-evolving nature of Indian aviation, where an increasing number of guests want the freedom and flexibility to
make their own travel choices," Jet said.Rising price warfare in the country has hurt Jet which competes with no-frills, low-cost carriers
like InterGlobe Aviation's IndiGo and SpiceJet.Jet Airways has five categories of economy fares with different levels of benefits.It had
already started phasing out free meals on the two lowest categories of economy fares
And it will now stop providing meals for two more categories from January 7.The changes will not affect business class passengers in the
country nor all classes on international flights.Jet Airways, which owes money to vendors and employees, is struggling to stay afloat and is
seeking funds by raising equity and selling a stake in its loyalty programme
The airline is also cutting flights on some routes and increasing frequencies on others to boost profit.The survival of 25-year-old Jet
Airways, founded by entrepreneur Naresh Goyal, is crucial for the companies from which it leases over 100 of its fleet of 124 planes
The airline also has 225 Boeing Co 737 MAX jets on order.
