Australian discount domestic airfares fall to 17-year low
The Australian newspaper reports that domestic airfares have hit their lowest level since 1992, according to a new survey that shows the cheapest fares are nearly 30% lower than a year ago. The 17-year low, revealed in figures for January from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, is further evidence that bargain-hunting travellers are benefiting from airline moves to offset weaker demand by filling planes. Full economy airfares nose-dived, falling by 21.6% compared with January last year, but this mainly reflects the impact on the index caused by the addition of Virgin Corporate Plus fares last February. However, the sharp falls were not seen in all fare types. Business class fares in January were less than 1% lower than in the previous year, while restricted economy fares fell by only 2.6%.
Prahok @ January 12, 2009