Two senators table new legislation that could compel airlines to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations under clearer guidelines on their customer obligations.
The competition watchdog has backed Virgin’s application for more flights to Bali in a blow to Qantas’ budget subsidiary Jetstar.
Virgin’s new code share agreement means its 12 million frequent flyers will be able to claim points on 17 additional routes.
The government body responsible for air navigation said it is still struggling with staffing after causing 16 per cent of delays last month.
Australia’s long-awaited aviation white paper could suggest sweeping changes to consumer protection,sustainability and Sydney Airport’s slot demand management system.
“It is no wonder that so many Australians remain fed up with our major airlines,” Catherine King said on Thursday.
Australia’s largest carrier claims mandatory compensation schemes would push up airfares and not decrease cancellations or delays.
The global airline industry has bounced back strongly from the pandemic,with profits far exceeding expectations as the cost-of-living crunch has failed to deter people from travelling.
Airservices Australia – the government-owned body that oversees air navigation in Australia – wants to increase its fees for the first time since 2015,which could push up airfares.
The outgoing chief executive of Sydney Airport,Geoff Culbert,may only have two weeks left in the job,but that hasn’t stopped him from lobbing a grenade at Qantas and Virgin on his way out.
Only 43 per cent of the 1286 eligible complaints lodged in 2022 were resolved by the Airline Customer Advocate.