Emirates offers special fares to Indian passengers

Joining the low fare war with rival Etihad, Gulf carrier Emirates announced a limited period special fares offer for its Indian fliers on Tuesday, starting at Rs 21,858 for economy class and Rs 52,312 for business class fliers to the Middle East, Europe, Americas as well as Africa.

Bookings for the special offer, which comes just ahead the wake of India's Independence Day, commenced from August 4 and would remain open until August 10 for travel between September 11 and December 10, Emirates said in a release.

Late last month, Emirates' rival airline Etihad, which holds a 24 per cent stake in Naresh Goyal's Jet Airways, had announced a 20 per cent to 50 per cent special limited period discount on fares across 135 international destinations of the two carriers.

"We would like to congratulate India on its 67th Independence Day. Emirates has been committed to serving India since the launch of our first flights to Mumbai and Delhi in 1985.

These special fares are a small gesture of appreciation from Emirates for its customers in India celebrating Independence Day," Emirates Vice President for India and Nepal Essa Sulaiman Ahmad said in the release.

While for Americas, the special fares begin at Rs 59,041 and Rs 1,57,195 for the economy and business classes, respectively, for Europe special fares begin at Rs 38,415 for the economy class and Rs 1,22,677 for business class travel, the release said.

Fliers from any of the ten airports Emirates serves may book their return journey to the Middle East (West Asia) starting from Rs 21,858 (economy class) and Rs 52,312 (business class), the release said.