Half-price air tickets selling fast: government

Less than a quarter of half-price airfares subsidised by the federal government remain available as domestic travel rebounds.

A Jetstar flight takes off from the Gold Coast. Picture: Luke Marsden

Fewer than 200,000 half-price airfares remain from the federal government’s $1.2bn aviation support package, with the Deputy Prime Minister declaring the industry “bounce back” was well underway.

Michael McCormack said more than 600,000 discount fares had been snapped up in three weeks to destinations across the country.

“Our aviation industry is in a remarkable position compared to where it was just one year ago,” Mr McCormack said.

“Australians are taking trips in large numbers with airlines reporting sales dwarfing previous records.”

He said it was not only carriers such as Qantas, Virgin Australia and Rex who were benefiting from the surge in domestic travel.

“It’s also a win for jobs in our aviation industry, local small businesses who are now doing a roaring trade and for our tourism operators who have come back to life as a result of those half-price flights,” said Mr McCormack.

Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan predicted the remaining half-price fares would “go like hot cakes” following the pace at which the rest had sold.

“My message to Australians is take advantage of this opportunity to book a cheap holiday through your travel agent and when you’re on holiday spend on a tourist activity and a night out to support tourism jobs and business,” said Mr Tehan.

“For every dollar spent on a flight, 10 more will be spent on the ground and from speaking to so many people in the tourism industry, I know this program has made a difference.”

The federal government was committed to reviewing the program, including routes and ticket numbers, with a view to repeating the offer should further stimulation of domestic air travel be required.

A total of 15 routes were included in the half-price fare sale, with airlines reporting the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Hobart and Darwin among the most popular destinations.

Qantas and Virgin Australia have also benefited from other measures in the support package, to help them retain their international flight capability up until October 31.

The flying kangaroo hoped to restart most of its overseas routes from that date, but giving evidence in the Federal Court last week, Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David conceded that remained uncertain.