- Domestic airfares have increased by 15 percent since July
- Airlines defend massive price hikes during football finals
Travelers are being bombarded with huge increases in airfare prices following Rex’s sudden disappearance.
Data shows that economy class tickets on Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar have risen by an average of 15 per cent since the local carrier entered administration with $500 million in debt in July, with some tickets even doubling in price.
That has left football fans who booked last-minute trips for the finals forced to pay exorbitant prices to watch their team play in another state.
A fed-up North Queensland Cowboys fan has taken to social media to hit out at major transporters.
“We travel like no other fans, we’re flying to Sydney for the next three weekends to support them. But a return flight from TSV to SYD costing $1500-1700 is a joke. GF will cost double that. Let’s help the fans,” he wrote.
Another frustrated fan claimed the same thing is happening across the country.
“All the fans are thinking about this. Last week, flights from Melbourne to Adelaide were costing more than $900 for a flight of almost an hour. It’s ridiculous,” he said.
The price increase can be attributed not only to the dire situation at Rex, but also to the collapse of budget airline Bonza in April after just 15 months of operational flights.
Travelers are forced to pay huge increases in airfares following the sudden disappearance of the Rex. Pictured: the crew of the Rex flight
“It’s clear we’re starting to see the impact of not one, but two airlines entering receivership in four months under the watch of the Albanese Labor Government,” opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Airfares have risen by more than 50 per cent since Labour was elected and by 15 per cent since Rex went into administration and pulled out of the capital’s routes.
‘Air travel is an essential service for many Australians, especially those living in the regions…
“And to date there is no indication that the government intends to take action to support travellers or address the entrenched duopoly that exists in Australia.”
Qantas has denied allegations of price gouging in the first two weeks of the AFL and NRL finals, saying its tickets were actually “cheaper than this time last year when adjusted for inflation”.
A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it had scheduled an additional flight (QF734) from Adelaide at 10am on Friday ahead of the grand final preliminary clash between Port Adelaide and Sydney, with fares starting from $394.
The airline is also finalising an additional flight between Townsville and Brisbane so fans can connect to Sydney.
Virgin also told Daily Mail Australia it was committed to offering customers frequent deals and had rebooked around 130,000 Rex passengers free of charge since July 31.
Qantas has added an extra flight at 10am on Friday to allow Port Adelaide fans to travel to Sydney ahead of the preliminary final. Pictured: a Port Adelaide fan
Qantas has denied allegations of price gouging in the first two weeks of the AFL and NRL finals, saying its tickets have actually been “cheaper than this time last year when adjusted for inflation”.
“Virgin Australia remains focused on delivering exceptional value and choice to Australian travellers…we continue to offer frequent sales activities where customers can secure great value fares,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.
Transport Minister Catherine King said current fares were well below their 2022 peaks and lower than before COVID, but she would keep an eye on major airlines.
“The ACCC has made it clear that it is closely monitoring airfares and is on the lookout for other airlines increasing fares on routes where Rex no longer operates,” he said.
“If Qantas or Virgin misuse their power, they can expect to be caught.”