Airfares falling sharply to top destinations

Travellers are paying nearly half the price for some international airfares than they were five years ago. Picture: AAP
Source: AAP

TRAVELLERS are paying half the price for some international airfares compared to five years ago.

That’s according to an analysis by Flight Centre of the cheapest advertised return airfares to 10 popular international locations in January this year compared to January 2008.

Airfares to all the destinations analysed had fallen. The savings varied depending on the departure location, with an average saving across five capital cities of 16.6 per cent. Those flying from Sydney had an average saving of 25 per cent, Melbourne 21 per cent, Adelaide 14 per cent, Brisbane 12 per cent and Adelaide 11 per cent.

Using the example of flights from Sydney, savings ranged from three per cent to Fiji, to 51 per cent to Singapore. The average saving was $267.

The next-best bargains were found at Bangkok (down 44 per cent), Phuket (down 26 per cent), Bali (down 27 per cent) and New York (down 14 per cent).

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Flight Centre Limited managing director Graham Turner said the significant drop in airfare prices was at odds with pricing trends in other sectors.

“Australian travellers are getting more for their money when they take off overseas,” he said. “Inflation in Australia has increased more than 10 per cent during the past five years and average wages have increased more than 20 per cent, but airfare prices have actually fallen.

“Also, in recent years, competition has increased between the airlines – more carriers have a presence here and new airlines have emerged, including new age and low cost carriers.

“This has led to incredible airfare bargains for Australian travellers.”

Examples of large savings on other routes include flights from Melbourne to Singapore dropping 49 per cent ($1049 to $537), Perth to Bali down 48 per cent (from $785 to $409) and Perth to Hong Kong 41 per cent less ($1075 to $633).

Meanwhile, Brisbane to Bali dropped 32 per cent from $1055 to $721, Adelaide to New York City fell 28 per cent from $2415 to $1747 and Adelaide to Los Angeles was down 23 per cent from $2249 to $1739.

London is also becoming more affordable, with the cheapest fare from Sydney down by 20 per cent.

“As far as airfare affordability is concerned, London seems to become more accessible for the average Australian traveller with every passing year,” Mr Turner said.

“Historically, a flight to the UK was a major investment that represented months or even years of savings for the average traveller. Now a ticket is within reach of most workers.”

Passengers aboard the first Qantas Lockheed Constellation that took off to London 65 years ago paid the equivalent of $1170 – about 85 weeks’ pay for the average worker at the time – for the four-day each-way flight.

Based on current average wages in Australia, the 1947 fare cost the equivalent of more than $120,000 in today’s dollars.

Airfares falling sharply to top destinations