Discounted Air Fares !

 Now that coronavirus vaccine shots are under way the priority has shifted to get the economy moving again.  The return of overseas travellers is still distant so the government is taking steps to encourage Australians to holiday in their own country, which has the added incentive of getting our airline companies back to work.

This bold plan spends $ 1.2 billion of taxpayers money to reduce the air fare by half to a nominated selection  of holiday destinations.  It is not abundantly clear if this applies to the outwards journey, or also covers the return flight.

The one thing that is clear is it favours Queensland.  The reduced fare will apply to Cairns, The Whitsundays, Hamilton Island, The Sunshine coast and the Gold Coast.   Other northern destinations are not so plentiful.  Travellers considering the Northern Territory are offered just Alice Springs and Lasseter while Western Australia is limited to the town of Broome.

Considering that this holiday offer commences in April, the mid month of autumn, it is likely most travellers from the south will follow the sun to avoid the chill in the air.  This has drawn a degree of criticism and it is suggested that Queensland is being rewarded for bad behaviour over their extended use of border closures.

The choice of holiday destinations in the southern states also has curious limitations.  In South Australia the only choice is Kangaroo Island, Victoria lists just Avalon and in New South Wales the only choice is Merimbula.  Even Tasmania has a clear dividing line.   Fare reductions apply to flights to Launceston, Devonport and Burnie and completely ignore Hobart and the Huon Valley and Port Arthur. It is suggested that the range of destinations will broaden as the scheme progresses.

The government has wisely avoided  applying a time frame to this offer.  Instead, it will cover half the cost of airfares to 800,000 flights which will be taken up on a first come, first served basis.  Obviously the long haul flights will cost it more than shorter journeys but there is the expectation that the benefits to both the tourist industry and the airlines will be immediately productive.

The airline companies have taken a hammering with their aircraft grounded and employees put on furlough.  The entire tourist industry has suffered a customer drought because of movement restrictions and many are close to being forced to close permanently.   These fare reductions will be money well spent if it creates the revival expected and gets the tills ringing in the accommodation, meals and entertainment industries that serve the holiday sector.

It is a welcome move that signals hope that this pandemic is slowly fading from the scene and our tourist industry will survive to serve the hordes that will holiday here when international air travel resumes.