Air India announces sops for international travellers

"Only fuel surcharge and non-airline taxes will be payable on the companion ticket. The passenger and the companion would have to travel together in the first leg of the journey. However, the return journey could be completed separately," the company spokesperson said.

The free ticket can be availed if the passenger buys a ticket in executive or first class between Jan 27 and Feb 10. The journeys are to be undertaken between Feb 1 and April 30.

In another initiative, Air India, as part of a special incentive, will offer discounts for travellers to European destinations, such as London, Paris and Frankfurt. The airline will also extend 20 percent discount for travel on first and executive class and 10 percent discount for travel in economy class during that period.

In yet another scheme, the airline will offer a special discounted fare for a return trip to London, Paris and Frankfurt from the originating cluster cities of Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Kolkata, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.

"In this scheme, the third on offer, a special basic fare of Rs. 14,900 is offered for sale and travel from January 25 to March 31, 2011," the spokesperson said.

"An add-on fare of Rs.2000 is applicable for travel from several other cities in India," he added.