With unfavourable balance sheets and rising pink slips, all might not be well in the high skies but even in the time of distress the airline sector is giving umpteen reasons for the little ones to smile. If some are offering them free tickets to accompany parents overseas, others are designing activity kits to keep them occupied during flights, and special meals are being prepared with their diet requirements in mind.

While Emirates has a ‘Kids Go Free’ package in which a child under 16 years can travel free to Dubai with two adults, Cathay Pacific has launched a ‘Buy Two Get One Free’ offer to Hong Kong. On the purchase of two airline tickets to Hong Kong before June 30, (price Rs 41,380 for economy class from Delhi), the third ticket comes free and so does a 3day/ 2night hotel accommodation, three Hong Kong Disneyland Park tickets and park meal tickets. The fun ride begins before landing in Hong Kong as children are handed Disney Kits — complete with games, books and stationary— when still on board.

On the domestic front, Disney characters find place on the Kingfisher merchandise produced in association with Walt Disney under the ‘Little Wings’ programme. “It is our effort to connect better with young guests and make them feel at home,” says Prakash Mirpuri, spokesperson of Kingfisher Airlines, as he runs through details of the in-flight magazine published for children. Along with trivia on Disney, there are popular characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh on colouring pages and pull-out posters.

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