India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has introduced a new “Lite” fare for passengers travelling with only cabin baggage, becoming the latest carrier to unbundle services in a bid to offer lower ticket prices amid rising operating costs.
The new fare, launched on Wednesday, will be available for bookings through IndiGo’s direct channels from July 1 and will apply to travel from July 15. It will be offered on both domestic and international non-stop flights, covering one-way, round-trip and multi-city journeys.
Under the IndiGo Lite fare, passengers can carry a cabin bag weighing up to 7 kg and will receive an auto-assigned seat at no additional cost. However, the fare does not include check-in baggage, allowing travellers to save around Rs 300-400 on domestic routes, with varying discounts on international sectors.
The move comes as Indian airlines grapple with rising operating costs after the Iran conflict pushed up jet fuel prices, the industry’s biggest expense. Carriers are also dealing with airspace restrictions and intense competition, prompting them to introduce lower-cost fare options.
Last month, Air India launched a new “Basic” economy fare for domestic flights aimed at price-conscious travellers. Unlike IndiGo, Air India’s lower-priced fare excludes complimentary onboard meals, offering savings of around Rs 300-700 depending on the route.
With airfares rising sharply in recent months, both airlines are seeking to make flying more affordable by allowing passengers to pay only for the services they use.
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