Domestic business class fares up by 10%, overall tickets by 20%

IN BRIEF | Are airfares eating more of your business travel budget compared to last year?

According to the latest Australian Domestic Airfare Index published by the federal government, business class tickets have risen by 10.5 per cent over the same time last year, while prices across the board are up 20 per cent.

American Express reported similar findings in August, noting that the cost of domestic business class seats rose 12 per cent for the second quarter of 2011, and 19 per cent from the middle of last year.

It said that although Virgin Australia was a more vigorous competitor to Qantas than ever before, high demand for business travel was allowing airlines to name their price.

However, for travellers on a budget, the news is not all bad. Restricted economy fares dropped in price by 24.7 per cent, largely due to the major restructuring of domestic fare categories by Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar earlier this year.

danwarne