Air-India on Tuesday announced special fares for travel on the domestic sector, much lower than the apex fares announced by the domestic carriers, with immediate effect.

The special fares for A-I flights departing between 0800 IST and 2000 IST would now be five per cent lower than the apex fares being offered by carriers like Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara.

An airline release in Mumbai said the night fares for flights departing between 2000 IST and 0800 IST would be further lower by 10 per cent when compared to the special day fare offered by it and 15 per cent lower in relation to the apex fares.

The new fares will not have any advance purchase conditions and the number of seats allocated is nearly 80 per cent of the capacity and are not restricted as in the case of the domestic carriers.

The cancellation charges have been kept for the special night fares at Rs 100, the release added.

Indian Airlines introduced from May 15 further variants of its apex fares by way of 'Super Saver' and 'Super Saver - Golden Edge' schemes, which were cheaper by 20 to 40 per cent depending on the sector flown by the passenger with no restrictions on bookings or sectors.

The Jet 'Super Apex' fares are effective from June 15 and aimed at Rajdhani Express passengers.