Queenslanders facing sky high travel costs as they venture overseas

Queenslanders are feeling the sting as the world opens up, with some international flights costing more than double what they were.

International economy airfares have soared by as much as 47 per cent in just two months, travel deals website KAYAK has revealed.

While fares to near neighbours such as New Zealand, Fiji and Singapore are either cheaper or only slightly more expensive than they were in May, the cost of flying to more far-flung destinations has suddenly skyrocketed.

 Bali has boomed across the board; the cost of a Melbourne outbound flight is up 33 per cent, while Brisbane is up 28 per cent, Sydney 26 per cent, Adelaide 24 per cent and Perth 29 per cent.

Bridie Carter 27, Emma Josey 24, Stephanie Greer 27 paid almost a thousand dollars for a return flight from Brisbane to Bali on Tuesday.

“We paid $900 return so nearly a grand,” Ms Greer said.

Bridie Carter, Emma Josey, and Stephanie Greer pictured at the Brisbane International Airport departing for Bali, Brisbane 26th of July 2022. (Image/Josh Woning)

KAYAK found an average return economy international fare in July out of Australian cities was approximately $1761 – a 14 per cent increase from May.

Flying to London is significantly more expensive with fares out of Brisbane up 22 per cent.

Airlines point to the surging price of aviation fuel as the reason for fare increases, with International Air Travel Association data from June showing fuel was now taking up 24 per cent of operating expenses, up from 19 per cent last year.

Elia San Martin, KAYAK’s general manager for the Asia/Pacific region, said there were a number of ways Aussie travellers could avoid paying top dollar.

“Our search data indicates that the most affordable month to book a return international flight in the rest of 2022 is in October and in November for a return domestic flight,” she said.