Airfares soar on key Aussie flights after Rex’s collapse – and footy fans are being slogged with exorbitant prices

Travellers are being hit with massive hikes on plane tickets as airlines capitalise on the sudden demise of smaller rivals Rex and Bonza.

Data shows that economy tickets on Virgin, Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar have risen 15 per cent on average since Rex went into administration owing $500million in July, with some tickets even doubling in price.

That’s seen footy fans, who booked last-minute finals trips, hit with exorbitant prices to see their team play interstate.

One fed-up North Queensland Cowboys supporter took to social media to unleash on the major carriers.

‘We travel like no other fan, we’ll fly to Sydney the next three weekends to support. But $1500-$1700 return flight from TSV-SYD is a joke. GF will be twice that. Help the fans,’ he wrote.

Another frustrated fan claimed the same thing is happening all over the country, saying Hawthorn fans faced absurd ticket prices to travel to last weekend’s AFL semifinal against Port Adelaide. 

‘Last week flights from Melbourne to Adelaide were over $900 for a flight that’s near an hour. It’s ridiculous,’ he said.   

The price increases can be attributed to not only Rex’s grim situation, but also the collapse of the budget airline Bonza in April after only 15 months of operational flights. 

‘It is clear we are starting to see the impact of not one but two airlines going into administration within four months on the Albanese Labor Government’s watch,’ Opposition Transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Airfares have increased by more than 50 per cent since Labor was elected and by 15 per cent since Rex went into administration and exited the capital city routes. 

‘Airline travel is an essential service for many Australians – especially those living in the regions… 

‘And there is no indication to date the government intends to take action to support travellers nor address the entrenched duopoly that exists in Australia.’ 

Qantas denied claims of price gouging in the first two weeks of the AFL and NRL finals, saying their tickets have actually been ‘lower than this time last year when adjusted for inflation’.

A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that it has scheduled an additional flight (QF734) from Adelaide to Sydney this Friday for the preliminary final clash between Port and the Swans, with fares starting at $394.

The airline is also finalising an additional flight between Townsville and Brisbane for fans to connect on to Sydney.

Virgin also told Daily Mail Australia that it was committed to offering customers frequent deals and that it had rgfebooked approximately 130,000 Rex passengers free of charge since July 31.  

Qantas has added an extra flight at 10am on Friday for Port Adelaide fans to travel to Sydney ahead of the preliminary final. Pictured: A Port Adelaide fan

Qantas denied claims of price gouging in the first two weeks of the AFL and NRL finals, saying their tickets have actually been ‘lower than this time last year when adjusted for inflation’ 

‘Virgin Australia remains focused on providing exceptional value and choice to Australian travellers… we continue to offer frequent sale activity where customers can pick up great value fares,’ a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. 

Transport Minister Catherine King said fares today are well down from their 2022 peaks and are lower than pre-COVID, but would be watching over the major airlines.

‘The ACCC has made it clear that they are closely monitoring air fares and are vigilant to other carriers increasing fares on routes where Rex is no longer operating,’ she said.

‘If Qantas or Virgin are misusing their power they can expect to be caught.’