IRCTC has tied up with SpiceJet and GoAir to allow train travellers with wait listed tickets to cancel the train ticket and instead book a flight on either airline, reports FirstPost. An IRCTC executive told the publication that it had entered into this tie up over a month ago, during which it has sold air tickets to waitlisted passengers. The executive also said that IRCTC will look to tie up with other private airlines in the future, to offer similar deals. The new feature will only apply to tickets booked at least three days before the date of travel. In case such a ticket it waitlisted, the passenger can cancel the train ticket and avail an air ticket for the original day of journey, or a day before it. Note that the deal does not specify airlines to make a certain number of tickets available for IRCTC passengers, so it looks like only unbooked or last minute cancelled airline tickets will be available to train travellers. This initiative by IRCTC could be useful, however in its current state it only ties up with two airlines and with no ‘reservations’ for IRCTC passengers, the actual availability of such tickets for waitlisted passengers seems low. However, by tying up with more airlines, and maybe with a requirement for airlines to save some tickets for waitlisted passengers, the initiative could really take off so to speak. Note that it's not clear if IRCTC is paying any royalties to the airlines for this tie…
