In a unique gesture, Air-India will send a special direct flight to South Africa in time for the ICC World Cup final.

Air-India's decision comes after Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain complied with the demand of cricket lovers waiting to go to South Africa.

The special Air-India flight will have a return fare of Rs 28,000 in the economy class and Rs 52,000 in the executive class, which are lower than the foreign carrier fares at Rs 30,000 and Rs 70,000, respectively.

The special flight, by an Airbus A-310 with a passenger capacity of 201, will depart at 0130 hours on March 22 from New Delhi and on March 24 at 1900 hours from Johannesburg.

The civil aviation ministry is also allowing private charter flights to take cricket fans to South Africa.

South African Airways is also planning to add to its capacity in time for the semi-finals and the final.