Qantas has confirmed it will increase the fares for most of its international flights from Australia by three per cent.
The increased fares will apply to all tickets booked on or after November 21.
“Pricing is reviewed continuously across all routes, taking into account demand and capacity, competitor activity and business performance,” said a spokesperson for the airline. “These increases are reasonable in the current environment and we believe they are sustainable.”
“Our fares remain competitive and continue to represent great value for our customers,” they added.
In April this year, Qantas increased the fuel surcharges for international flights by up to A$30 (US$31) and raised domestic fares in light of a global hike in jet fuel prices (see here).
In its annual earnings statement released in August, Qantas reported that it had made a loss for the first time in 17 years during the past financial year, citing high fuel prices and industrial action in October as the main reasons.
In response, the airline launched an “aggressive strategy” to return its international arm to profitability in three years. This has so far included the cancelling of an order for 35 new aircraft (see here) and the tie up with Emirates (see here).
“Our biggest challenge is Qantas International, but its transformation is on track,” said chief executive Alan Joyce at the time.
Qantas is facing increasing competition on international routes from Virgin Australia, which recently signed a series of agreements with Singapore Airlines (see here and here).
Nicholas Olczak
