Little elbow room for premium airlines in budget-conscious India

[NEW DELHI] A decade after low-cost carriers (LCCs) led India's air travel boom, full-service airlines are gearing up for a battle for premium passengers that only the deep-pocketed are likely to win.

Flag carrier Air India, which has offered only premium travel, will face more competition from second- largest airline Jet Airways, which on Monday said it would ditch its budget unit and focus on the full-service market amid mounting losses.

The carriers are also bracing for Vistara, a venture between Singapore Airlines and conglomerate Tata Sons, which will start flying in October.