United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
ACCC bosses slam Qantas and government over high airfares
Former bosses of the Australian competition watchdog have weighed in on the Qantas-Qatar Airways row.
Qantas and the government are taking heat for blocking extra flights for Qatar Air to protect Qantas’ bottom line.
Qatar Airways applied to add 21 extra flights per week to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane but was rejected.
The government said it was ‘in the national interest to help Qantas stay profitable.’
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce defended the decision as allowing more flights by Qatar would ‘distort the market.’
That comment has been slammed as ‘nonsense.’
Now ex Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Allan Fels has criticised the government decision.
“It’s a really bad decision by any standards, particularly when the government is talking about doing a competition review,” he said.
“This is going to keep prices up a lot. They’re 50% higher now than before Covid”.
Another former ACCC boss, Rod Sims agreed.
“It does hurt competition,” Sims said.
“What we see now in Australia is very high airfares internationally and not enough capacity.”
Qantas posted a $1.7 billion profit but the brand has suffered amid stinging criticism from customers over service levels and flight credits.
Customers have been put second, ” Fels added.
“We haven’t really had a good explanation in relation to the whole Qatar issue, and that’s unfortunate,” Sims said.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
The Northern Lights in Fairbanks