SHANGHAI, China (18 Dec 2006) -- The super cheap caught a brief glimpse of budget traveler nirvana when Spring Airlines rolled out its one-yuan (13-cent) air ticket. Spring Airlines, a Chinese low-cost airline modeled after Ireland's Ryan Air, announced the special fare to promote its new service between Shanghai and the northern city of Jinan. Over 400 savvy travelers scooped up the $.13 tickets before Chinese regulators terminated the special fare and fined Spring Airlines $20,000 for violating regulations that limit discounts airlines can offer. A 2004 regulation forbids Chinese airlines from offering discounts above 45 percent on government-set base fares. The standard fare for the Shanghai - Jinan route is US $116. | | Spring Airlines A-320 According to unconfirmed reports, Spring Airlines is planning to expand its low-cost, no-frills service to international destinations. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
