Airlines

Air India Unveils ‘Fare Lock’ Feature for Hassle-Free Flight Bookings

Air India, under the ownership of the Tata Group, unveiled a new feature called “Fare Lock,” offering customers the flexibility to secure their chosen fare for a period of 48 hours.

This innovative option empowers travelers to confirm their travel plans while avoiding sudden fare fluctuations or availability issues. With Fare Lock, passengers can reserve their selected fare for up to two days by paying a nominal fee. This feature applies to flight options at least 10 days away from the booking date, providing ample time for travelers to finalize their plans.

To access this service, Air India customers need to select their preferred flight options during booking and opt for the Fare Lock feature. Upon payment of a non-refundable fee, passengers can revisit their bookings through the website or mobile app and confirm their reservations at the pre-selected fares using the ‘Manage Booking’ option.

The fees for Fare Lock vary depending on the route and are inclusive of taxes. For domestic flights, Air India charges a fee of Rs 500, while short-haul international departures from India incur a fee of Rs 850. Incoming short-haul international flights attract a fee of $10, whereas longer international outbound flights entail a fee of Rs 1,500. Similarly, incoming longer international flights to India will be charged $18, as stated by the airline.

This introduction of Fare Lock adds to Air India’s range of ancillary offerings, aimed at enhancing the overall travel experience for its customers. By providing this option, the airline aims to cater to the evolving needs of travelers and ensure a seamless booking process.

Airlines

A 17-yr boy was arrested for making a hoax bomb threat, causing multiple flight diversions and delays.

Mumbai police have detained a 17-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh who allegedly issued bomb threats to multiple international flights via social media. According to the police, the minor made the threats to settle a financial dispute by framing another person.

The incident began on Monday night when a New York-bound Air India flight, originally departing from Mumbai, had to be diverted to New Delhi after receiving a bomb threat. The flight was later rescheduled. That same evening, two other international flights operated by IndiGo, heading to Jeddah and Muscat, also received similar threats, causing delays of several hours.

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The investigation revealed that all three threats originated from posts made by the minor from Chhattisgarh, leading to his detention. He was subsequently handed over to the local Juvenile Justice Board. The Mumbai police found that the boy had used the name and picture of another individual, also from Chhattisgarh, to create a fake social media account and issue the threats. The intention, according to the police, was to frame the other person and settle a score over a financial disagreement.

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The situation escalated on Tuesday, when a total of seven flights, including one bound for the United States, received similar threats through a social media handle. Security agencies initiated counter-terrorist drills at various airports to ensure safety. Further investigation into the minor’s actions and motivations is ongoing.