Do you think the entry of a budget airline will help make airfares competitive?

Anindita Dhar Private sector employee
It would be absurd to expect existing carriers to slash their fares following the entry of a budget airline. I am sure a budget carrier will be a stiff competitor but it will take some time before it establishes itself in the market.

Priti Patil Homemaker
Other airlines will definitely reduce their fares if they want to stay in business. I am sure most people would prefer a budget airline especially those travelling short distances. They may be no-frills flights but they help you save.

Binu Markose Private sector employee
I don't think the entry of a budget airline will force regular airlines to slash fares. It will only offer customers more choice and better connectivity. The budget carrier will have to ensure that its services match those offered by other players in the market.

Ajay Tharavanat
Deputy sales manager Yes ticket prices will get competitive with the entry of a budget airline. Otherwise survival will become difficult for full service airlines. However the new airline will take time to establish itself. It will have to provide good services at a lower cost.

Monica Handa Private sector employee
It is too early to comment. But the entry of a budget carrier will definitely help Oman as the market is big. The low-cost airline will be a boon to frequent travellers.

____

Do you think the planned low-cost airline will be able to sustain itself in the long run?

Jayanti Prava Sukla Homemaker
I doubt its sustainability as there are several low-cost carriers already operating in the region. The popular ones like Air Arabia and FlyDubai have established themselves in the market. Competing with them will not be easy.

Divyesh Solanki Private sector employee
I don't think there is a need to launch a budget airline at this point as there are many carriers operating in the region. Most of them are struggling to survive and break even. They depend on the government for support.

Akshaya Kumar Tripathy Private sector employee
The entry of a new airline will provide travellers with a number of options. There are many expatriate workers in Oman who pay from their pockets for a trip back home. I am sure a budget airline will be a blessing for them.

Ahmed Ibrahim al Hadhrami Government sector employee
The time is perfect to launch a budget airline as fuel prices are low. I am sure the prices will continue to remain low and this will help the new airline establish and break even quickly. The airline's operators will have to offer reasonable fares.

Amit Khanna Businessman
The new airline should target frequent travellers and get more flights during summer and Eid holidays to cater to the rush. It should try and provide the best fares to lure customers. I am sure such steps will help in its long-term sustainability.

____

Do you prefer travelling by a budget airline? If yes why? If no why not?

Narangoda Amarasena Bank credit expert
I opt for a budget airline if there is a huge price difference. I do not prefer a low-cost carrier for long distance journeys because the ticket cost does not cover food and you end up spending the same as on other airlines most of the times.

Elyas al Balushi Forklift operator
I will definitely fly with budget airline if it has better connectivity and direct flights. For my trips to Thailand I fly with regular airlines because Oman does not have a low-cost carrier and other regional low-cost players do not offer direct flights. I would not mind paying extra for food on a budget airline.

Haresh Pania Finance manager
I always choose budget carriers for trips to my home country because I find them punctual. For long journeys I would want to travel with an airline that offers better services.

Issa Saleh Job seeker
I have flown on budget carriers and will definitely fly with Oman's own budget airline when it launches. The services on low-cost carriers are okay but you have to pay extra for meals. Low-cost options are better for long hauls.

Mohammed Ilyas Finance manager
I would fly on a budget airline if its baggage allowance limit is the same or more than a full service airline. I find Oman's national carrier expensive and feel that low-cost carriers are better for shorter journeys like to Dubai or Pakistan.

_____

How do you think the budget airline will help boost the domestic travel and tourism industry?

Fizza Utba Homemaker
I feel the budget airline will have a positive impact on tourism in the country. Low airfares will lure people to travel more while saving on flight tickets and allowing them to spend on other things like accommodation.

Mary Faith Nurse
It will make travel and work easier. A budget airline in Oman will be a boon for people who have to travel regularly to a place like Salalah which is far from Muscat.

Shashikar Private sector employee
The budget airline will definitely help boost sultanate's travel and tourism industry. It will make travelling more convenient between major cities like Salalah and Muscat.

Geetha Nikhil Private sector employee
I know many people who work in Muscat but have families in Salalah. I am sure the budget airline will be good news for them as it will reduce their travelling time.

Shamsuddin Parkar Engineer
Domestic tourism is sure to benefit from the budget airline. It is very difficult to get seats on flights operating to Salalah especially during khareef as it is the peak travel season. It will also improve intra-connectivity in the sultanate