Most carriers are offering attractive prices and discounts of as much as 25 per cent on select international routes on advance purchase of tickets from Oman.

Qatar Airways has cut fares by around 25 per cent on advance purchase of tickets. A representative of Qatar Airways in Muscat said 'We are offering discounts on destinations like Kuala Lumpur Bangkok Manila New York and Europe. The fares have reduced due to price wars between airlines. This year the fares are 15 to 20 per cent less compared to the last year's lean season. The season will pick up by April. Passengers can take advantage by booking in advance.'

Air Arabia is offering return tickets starting RO110 to various destinations in India under a scheme in which customers can book until March 20 and can travel by May 31. An Air Arabia official said 'We offer people with low budget options; we are running various offers this month. 'We have offers for India Cairo Istanbul Amman Beirut Tbilisi and Bangladesh. In times of low oil prices people want low-budget options and that is why we come with packages so that people continue travelling.'

Deepal Pallegangoda country manager of Mihin Lanka said 'As we are a hybrid airline we offer a lot of attractive fares and special promotions. We know it is lean season now but we create demand by these fares. As compared to the last year we have demand for more passengers this lean season.'

Kuwait Airlines is offering attractive prices to destinations in India Thailand Egypt Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan Turkey and the Philippines. Rajan Jayaraman district sales manager of Kuwait Airways said 'We have reduced fares by up to 25 per cent and this offer is valid for travel up to May 31. Passengers can book their tickets till March 31.'

Earlier PIA was also offering up to 50 per cent off to destinations in Pakistan to recover the losses it had incurred during a recent employee strike. Shahzad Paracha country manager of PIA said 'It is important to offer competitive fares to passengers as this will restore confidence of those flying with us.' Riyaz Kuttery country manager Jet Airways said airfares are just like hotel rates which vary depending on the demand and supply.

'Competition is another factor which we need to consider and position ourselves in the race. Currently we are going through a lean period where you will see sales offers in the market which is based on the current as well as forward booking trend of passengers though. Although it is sort of stable now compared to the same period last year. We are hoping that business will pick up by mid-March.'

He added 'As far as economic conditions are concerned everyone is going through the same patch. It is a cycle that happens once in a while for whatever reasons and we have sailed through it even in the past. The key is to control the cost and move forward.'