Qantas has posted its third consecutive loss in the 2022 financial year, reporting an underlying loss before tax of almost AUD1,9 billion (R22,2bn), bringing its total loss since the pandemic began to AUD7 billion (R81,8bn).
This, combined with the rising jet fuel prices, has led the airline to announce that it will be increasing its airfares. Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, said in his media address on Qantas’s full-year results, that passengers could expect a steep rise in fares, reports Travel Daily Media.
Joyce pointed out that fuel prices would be 60% higher than they were in 2019, and that the airline would only be operating 75% of its international flights and less than 100% of its domestic flights, leading to the fare hikes.
It is anticipated that international fares will increase by 20% and domestic by 10%. This could see passengers paying an additional AUD300 (R3 500) on some flights, reports Daily Mail.
According to a source at Qantas, fare adjustments are dependent on a number of factors, including currency fluctuations, supply and demand, and fuel prices. The appropriate notification will be communicated, providing advance notice of any adjustments to those flying with Qantas South Africa.
In addition to the reported losses and the rising fuel prices, Qantas has faced unprecedented levels of staff sickness and labour shortages, leading to delays, cancellations, long boarding times and luggage-handling issues since international borders reopened last November.
