Low-cost fares return as Air India Express opens monthly PayDay window

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Air India Express has announced a new edition of its monthly PayDay promotion, offering discounted airfares across its domestic network and international routes. The limited-period sale is open until March 1, with travel permitted between early March and early October, according to the airline.

Under the offer, the carrier has introduced reduced entry-level “Lite” fares on key Gulf sectors, including routes from the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to major Indian cities starting from AED323, OMR22.8, BHD47, QAR468, KWD28 and SAR286. The pricing applies to zero-check-in-baggage tickets and is available through the airline’s official digital platforms as well as mainstream booking portals, the airline said.

In addition to discounted base fares, the airline said customers booking through its website and mobile application can avoid convenience fees on select payment modes, while passengers choosing Flex Fare are eligible for free date changes up to three days prior to departure, baggage allowance of 20 kg on domestic flights and 35 kg on international flights. The airline is also extending promotional benefits for frequent flyers and members of its partner loyalty programme, including reduced seat-selection charges, meal discounts and reward points.

The fare campaign comes as the airline continues to expand capacity with new narrow-body aircraft and a growing network linking tier-two Indian cities with the Middle East and South Asia. Aviation analysts quoted by Indian business outlets have noted that low-cost international services to the Gulf remain one of the fastest-growing segments for Indian carriers, driven by labour travel, visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic and rising leisure demand.

The airline has also recently received Domestic Connectivity Award, a national recognition for strengthening domestic air links at the Wings India civil aviation event. The award was instituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Airports Authority of India. Coverage by Indian news agencies and aviation trade publications highlighted the carrier’s role in improving regional connectivity and passenger services.

Alongside the PayDay promotion, the airline said it will continue offering special booking benefits for students, senior citizens and members of the armed forces, as well as instalment-based and deferred payment options. Industry trackers cited by Indian media say such targeted discounts and flexible payment schemes have become a key competitive tool among Indian low-cost carriers seeking to stimulate demand during the upcoming summer travel season.