North Queensland Cowboys fans irate over $1500+ flights to Sydney for Sharks semi final
North Queensland’s stunning progression to the NRL semi-finals in Sydney has left fervent fans scrambling for affordable flights, with some already forking out $1500+ to cheer on their team.
Townsville
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North Queensland’s stunning progression to the NRL semi-finals in Sydney on Friday has left fervent fans scrambling for affordable flights, with some supporters already forking out $1500+ to cheer on their team.
Cowboys’ member pre-sale tickets opened at 10am on Monday followed by non-full season members at 1pm, with tickets for the general public open at 10am on Tuesday.
Queensland Airports Limited confirmed that at least two of the three airlines operating out of Townsville Airport were looking to put on additional flights to accommodate the demand for the semi-final against the Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
A spokeswoman said Qantas was putting on an additional flight from Townsville to Brisbane on Friday, and another return flight from Brisbane on Sunday.
She said Virgin was also “looking to add capacity”, but was waiting for details from Jetstar.
There has been outrage online, with fans accusing the three carriers of taking advantage.
“Hey NRL ... Nth Qlders are sick of Qantas and Virgin Australia price gouging!” Corey Davis wrote on X. “We travel like no other fan, we’ll fly to Sydney the next 3 weekends to support. But $1500-1700 return flight from TSV-SYD is a joke! GF will be twice that. Help the fans.”
As of 3pm on Monday, Jetstar, the low-cost subsidiary of flag-carrier Qantas, had one seat left on a two-stop, one-way Townsville to Sydney flight on Friday for $1013, with limited one-way flights still available on Thursday from $642 and $781.
Demand for flights from Mackay has also increased.
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said it was still too early to gauge the expected support for the team in Sydney given tickets to the match had only just gone on sale and airlines were attempting to cope with the increased demand.
He said he hoped as many Cowboys fans as possible would be able to travel to and enjoy the game in Sydney.
Mr Reibel was still buzzing about the result of Saturday’s game against Newcastle and the added economic benefit to the Queensland Bank Country Stadium and the city.
He said on average, about 40 per cent of the about 23,000 crowd at a home game were from at least an hour’s drive outside the city, including Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook and the Burdekin, with some travelling from as far as Cairns and Mount Isa.
Mr Reibel said each of the Cowboys’ 12 home games each season injected at least $6m into the Townsville economy, with Saturday’s final likely to have contributed more than $7m.
Queensland Country Bank Stadium general manager Cameron Jones said the atmosphere inside and outside the venue was “electric”.
“It is fantastic to host a game of this significance, this late in the season, and with everyone in a celebratory mood, fans do tend to stay longer and spend slightly more on food and drinks,” he said.
“Also being a Saturday night, restaurants and hotels receive an increased benefit from the event.”
Mr Jones said to prepare for the event, it had about 25 pallets of food and 50 pallets of drink delivered, which equated to sales of up to 7000 serves of hot chips and 10,000 soft drinks.
“The event also engaged more than 1500 staff to ensure its successful delivery, including catering, cleaning, security and event staff.”
City Oasis Inn Townsville general manager Brendan Carter said the game provided a significant economic stimulus to what was shaping up to be a quiet weekend before the Cowboys booked a home final when they conquered the Bulldogs in Round 27.
He said the 42-room hotel was booked to capacity on Saturday.
“It was a great boost to a weekend that was looking, for the first weekend of the school holidays, to be very quiet,” he said.
“I’ve had a quick chat to some of my colleagues at some of the other properties as well and they all mirrored the same feedback – it was a great weekend and we are all really appreciative of having the finals game in Townsville.”
Lisa Woolfe, director of visitor economy and marketing at Townsville Enterprise, said the match was not just an electrifying game with a stunning result, “it was a major economic boost for our city”.
“With a crowd of over 24,800 fans, the atmosphere was palpable, and the excitement rippled through the entire community,” she said.
“This single event injected more than $8 million into our local economy and was broadcast across the nation, shining a spotlight on Townsville, North Queensland”.
Ms Woolfe said events of the magnitude of the match also helped showcase the region to the world.
“Townsville … is increasingly on the radar of future visitors, and watching the game live, you could feel the energy – I could only imagine those tuning in wishing they were there here in the stadium.”
Ms Woolfe said the stadium was testament to the seven-year advocacy campaign led by TEL in partnership with the Cowboys, Townsville City Council and the community.
“The stadium has changed the face of entertainment for this city and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for our community since its development – it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving.”
She said the entire North Queensland community was behind the Cowboys for its semi-final match on Friday.
“It’s our dream to see them at the top — where they truly belong!”
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