MUMBAI (TIP): European carrier Air France-KLM today joined the bandwagon of international airlines offering discounted tickets to the outbound Indian passengers with the launch of a limited period 20 per cent discount scheme on Air France, KLM and Delta flights.

The ‘Independence Day special’ offer is valid for bookings made in India between August 11 and August 15 for travel between October 1 and December 15, the airline said in a release. As India celebrates its 67th Independence Day this year, Air France-KLM will give customers a special reason to enjoy the celebrations and book discounted travel to mesmerizing Europe combining with upcoming long weekend breaks and Dussehra holidays, it said. Air France-KLM group, with a global network of 231 destinations across 103 countries, operates from its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol airports, respectively.

In India, Air France currently operates daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai and 6 times a week services from Bengaluru to Paris. The KLM too, offers 14 weekly flights from India, including a daily flight each from New Delhi and Mumbai to Amsterdam. The Mumbai flights, however, are codeshared with Delta Airlines. In additional to discounted fares, Air France KLM will exude an air of patriotism through decorated check-in counters to as part of the celebrations.

Emirates, British Airways and Etihad with its Indian partner Jet Airways, have already announced similar offers recently. While Jet and Etihad Airways were the first one to woo the Indian travelers with low ticket prices, with a 20-50 per cent discount on the two carriers’ combined network of 135 overseas destinations, Emirates was prompt to announce fares starting at Rs 21,858 for economy class and Rs 52,312 for business class fliers to the Middle East, Europe, Americas as well as Africa early this week. Similarly, UK’s national carrier British Airways yesterday offered an all-inclusive fares starting at Rs 65,880 for select destinations in North America and Canada for a limited period