CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
In news you probably won’t be reading in Australia’s newspapers, it seems our once must-trusted airline is committed to joining Woolworths and Coles as the most despicable brands in the country.
With an AFL Grand Final being played by two out-of-state teams in Melbourne this weekend, QANTAS have brazenly gouged travelling supporters with 1000% increases on airline tickets.
Australian airlines using the argument of ‘supply and demand’ to gouge customers during footy finals is not new – but the post-pandemic exploitation is now at an unprecedented level.
In 2015, the North Queensland Cowboys fans were staring down the barrel of a 200% increase in ticket prices – as they rushed south to Sydney to watch their team play in the NRL Grand Final. Even back then, such a spike was considered quite unethical – and they were quick to apologise and readjust when Bob Katter MP tore them a new one.
However, in 2024, with a government that coddles them and a weakened trade union movement – it seems QANTAS doesn’t seem to give a fuck about how they look – and a terrifying spray from a maverick North Queensland MP will no longer bring them into line.
With Australia’s newspaper editors and media owners very much enjoying the ad revenue that comes from QANTAS, as well as the complimentary Chairman’s Lounge access – Australians are expected to get used to our flag carrier continuing to remain unchecked.
This culture of brazen price-gouging, that thrives in a monopolised and unregulated sector, has been pioneered by QANTAS. It is now being emulated across the board by the supermarket giants, power providers and Ticketmaster – with their new ‘Dynamic Pricing’ system.
One thing that is certain is the profits made from $1900 flights from Brisbane to Melbourne are not going back to the hosties or pilots that keep this airline in the air.
It’s certainly not going to the baggage handlers, because in news you also would not have read in Australia’s newspaper, QANTAS used the pandemic as an excuse to sack all of their ground crews and replace them will inexperienced labour hire recruits. In case, you were wondering how they managed to lose your luggage on a 1 hour domestic flight.
