Residents in the Northern Territory capital of Darwin have accused Qantas and Virgin airlines of price gouging, citing high costs for flights to and from the city. The allegations come as the cost of living continues to rise in the region. The government has acknowledged the issue and is exploring possible solutions, including trialling cabotage – further opening up domestic Australian routes to international carriers.
The Northern Territory (NT) capital has been hit with allegations of price gouging by two major airlines, Qantas and Virgin. The accusations come as the cost of living continues to rise in the region.
According to a report by ABC News, Aviation analyst Bruce Dale said that any cost increase will be passed onto consumers. “There’s a level of acceptance from airlines that that’s the cost of flying to the NT,” he stated.
The NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has acknowledged the issue and stated that her government is working on solutions. “We’re currently exploring all options on the table for flights in and out of the NT,” she said, adding that they are open to exploring cabotage – further opening up domestic Australian routes to international carriers.
The federal government has also been made aware of the situation and is considering possible solutions, including calling out anti-competitive behavior by the airlines. Mr Gosling stated that the government is looking into trialling cabotage in the territory.
Residents’ Concerns
The allegations have sparked concerns among residents about the affordability of flights to and from the NT capital. As the cost of living continues to rise, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed.
Related Topics
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Air Transport Industry
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Cost of Living
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Darwin
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NT
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Transport
Residents claim that Qantas and Virgin are taking advantage of Darwin’s isolation, leading to high prices for flights out of the city. The accusations come as the cost of living continues to rise in Darwin.
“It’s like they abandoned us years ago,” said one resident. “They’re just making a profit off our backs.”
The airlines have been accused of passing on costs to consumers, with one expert stating that Darwin is a long way from anywhere else in Australia, but that doesn’t mean the airlines should be able to charge whatever they want for flights.
Residents’ Experiences
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One resident tried to book a flight to Sydney and was quoted over $1,000 return.
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Another resident stated that it’s ridiculous to be charged such high prices, especially when they can get a better deal from Perth or Brisbane.
Government Response
The government faces pressure to address the rising cost of living in Darwin. One resident stated that the government needs to take action to address the issue, as it’s not fair that people are being priced out of their own city.
