Fri "The Australian"
Discount fares rising as soaring oil prices hit carriers, says bureau
Steve Creedy
April 01, 2005
RISING oil prices are starting to affect discount air fares, with one official government measure showing a 26 per cent jump between July and February.
The Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE) domestic air fare index indicates average discount air fares have been rising gradually since hitting a low last July after the launch of Jetstar services.
A February index for best return discount air fares, compiled using the Sabre reservations system, showed ticket prices rose more than 26 per cent. But a similar index using the internet – which gives a better indication of the impact on average prices of ticket availability, the bureau says – recorded an 11.8 per cent rise.
Prices are still lower than the same time in 2004, when air fares were trending downwards, and less than two-thirds of the average price in November 2000.
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