Flight Centre reveals airfares have continued to fall

Airfares to some of the most popular tourist destinations have seen a big drop with one European destination seeing a big $389 saving.

Aussie travellers will be pleased to know airfares are on the way down, with flights to Greece the biggest saving of $389.

According to the latest data from Flight Centre Travel Group, between January and June this year there’s been a 13 per cent average decrease in international airfares departing Australia.

It follows on from last quarter with similar numbers having also yielded a 13 per cent average decrease.

Flight Centre Travel Group managing director of Australia James Kavanagh said travel becoming more affordable is exactly what Australians are after.

International airfares continue to fall for Aussies, according to Flight Centre Travel Group.

“[And[ we’re happy to confirm that the downward trend in international airfares is continuing,” Mr Kavanagh said.

He said it’s particularly good news for those wanting to escape to Indonesia, Greece and Italy where they’ve seen the most significant drops.

“Indonesia was down 18 per cent which equates to an average saving of $182, Greece was down 13 per cent or $389 and Italy was also down 13 per cent or $365,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“Those are savings that in some instances could be the difference between travellers being able to afford their next trip.

“For others it’ll mean they can spend the savings they reap from lower airfares on other experiences while abroad.”

It’s even better news for Aussies heading to Bali (and other Indonesian islands) with Klook revealing the Australian dollar is up 8 per cent per cent against the Indonesian rupiah compared to this time last year.

Indonesia was down 18 per cent – an average saving of $182.

“Unlike other Southeast Asian destinations, Bali has the bonus of having its dry season run across the Aussie winter,” Klook’s managing director of Oceania & Americas Henry Hooper said.

Japan has also seen a drop in airfares with an economy seat costing on average $1670 last year, compared to $1492 this year.

Greece was down 13 per cent or $389.

It’s also a great time for Aussies to head to the popular Asian destination with the Japanese yen recording historic lows against most currencies including the Australian dollar

“It’s a great time to go to Japan for a holiday, and not just because of the country’s balmy summer weather and the fascinating mix of old and new experiences that await,” Mr Hooper said.

“The weak Yen means Aussie travellers wanting to warm up in the Land of the Rising Sun are nabbing a bargain getaway and getting more out of their time in the country.”

Italy was also down 13 per cent or $365.

According to Klook, the average costs of experiences and transport in Japan have dropped by 25 per cent since pre-Covid in 2019.

Mr Hooper said customers are now spending on average of $206 per booking on for experiences and transport compared to $277 in 2019.

Japan economy flights were on average $1670, but this year it’s $1492.

“With the value of the Aussie dollar having risen against the Japanese Yen by more than 60 per cent since early 2020, you’re getting just about as much of a currency advantage as you ever will – the dollar hasn’t been up this high against the Yen so consistently for about 20 years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kavanagh said while Flight Centre is still not seeing pre-Covid prices, it’s the fourth consecutive quarter that airfares have decreased across the board

“[And] something we hope will continue as airlines introduce new routes and bring back some familiar ones to our shores,” he said.

Qantas has started flying from Perth to France for the time in more than 20 years – and just in time for the 2024 Olympic Games. It’s the first airline to do so direct from the mainland.

With Vietnam continuing to rise in popularity, Vietjet has increased its services to and from Australia.