Qantas stands firm on fuel surcharge

Qantas stands firm on fuel surcharge

Qantas appears unlikely to make more reductions in its fuel surcharges on tickets despite the slide in world oil prices.

Qantas in January cut fuel surcharges on its international tickets in a move that saves frequent flyers money, but did not lower airfares.

Instead the airline restructured its prices so that base fares were increased to compensate for the lower fuel charge.

Chief executive Alan Joyce says Qantas’ first half profit was boosted by a $33 million benefit from lower fuel prices thanks to the slide in oil prices, and more savings were expected.

But he said fuel prices remained volatile.

He also noted that international airfares had dropped 30 per cent and domestic by 20 per cent in the past decade.

“So the consumer has never had it better,” he told reporters on Thursday as Qantas reported it had swung back into profit.

Under the changes to its fuel surcharges, Qantas passengers would only save if they booked tickets with frequent flyer points.

The decision to keep total fares prices the same contrasts with Virgin Australia’s announcement that it would reduce economy ticket prices to the US by $40 after moving to include fuel surcharges into the base fare.

Qantas’ interim net profit was $203 million, while its underlying profit was $367 million, its best first-half performance since 2010 and an improvement of $619 million compared to the same time last year.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]