Sahara Airlines was the first to trigger off the ongoing fare war in the domestic sector, especially on the Mumbai-Delhi route, when it reduced its economy class ticket fare from Rs 5,111 to Rs 4,111 early last month.

While Jet Airways immediately announced the same fare for its Mumbai-Delhi flights, Indian Airlines followed suit three days later reducing its economy class ticket fare to Rs 3,800, the lowest ever charged by any airline till then.

However, the international carrier Air India upset the apple carts of all domestic operators by announcing on Sunday a unique two-fare structure for its international flights covering the Mumbai-Delhi sector. Accordingly, A-I, for the entire month of July, will sell its economy class tickets for Rs 3,045 for flights between 8 am and 8pm, and Rs 2,655 for flights between 8 pm to 8 am.

However, with A-I operating the domestic legs only as part of its international operations, the competition to increase the market share on this important metro route still remains largely confined between the IA, Jet and Sahara, who jointly operate 21 flights daily between Mumbai and Delhi.