Travellers will be paying more to fly with Qantas after the airline announced it is hiking airfares to offset the skyrocketing cost of fuel.
The Flying Kangaroo has confirmed the cost of seats on domestic and international flights will soon rise by 3.5 per cent on Qantas and 3 per cent on Jetstar.
Qantas had been absorbing recent fuel cost increases but now says, “given current tensions in the Middle East and broader economic factors including a weaker Australian dollar, the price of fuel is expected to remain elevated for some time”.
While the airline has been upfront about incoming airfare hikes, Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner says that the timing isn’t great.
“The PR impact is, you know, a negative one for sure,” Mr Turner said.
Qantas travellers have been told to brace for airfares to go up in price.
The flying kangaroo has confirmed the cost of seats on domestic and international flights will soon rise by 3.5 per cent on Qantas and 3 per cent on Jetstar blaming fuel overheads.
The airline had been absorbing recent fuel cost increases but said given current tensions in the Middle East and broader economic factors, including a weaker Australian dollar, the price of fuel is expected to remain elevated for some time.
Keith Tonkin from Aviation Projects said the move “wasn’t expected” but in the circumstances it is “a fair call”.
“Fuel prices are still going up and there’s some uncertainty in the world,” Keith Tonkin from Aviation Projects said.
It has been a turbulent few months for the airline and while the aviation giant is being upfront about incoming airfare hikes, Flight Centre’s CEO Graham Turner said the timing is not great.
The airfare rises will apply to bookings made from October 27.
Travellers have mixed feelings about the incoming increase.
“It just seems like they’re taking the piss and Australians don’t like that,” one traveller told 9News.
“Qantas should be doing all they can to restore the confidence of the Australian people.”
Another traveller thinks the increase is fair due to the circumstances.
“I think it’s inevitable and I don’t think it’s excessive,” he said.
(Sky News – 9 News)
