Government to halve flight prices in $1.2bn tourism plan

[MEL_Traveller]

Lol, so on the news tonight the Deputy PM said the list of 13 destinations was only ever an 'initial' list. Steve Price on The Project last night predicted those exact words... saying the backlash would force the government to expand the program.

 

[hydrabyss]

Right

Lol, so on the news tonight the Deputy PM said the list of 13 destinations was only ever an 'initial' list. Steve Price on The Project last night predicted those exact words... saying the backlash would force the government to expand the program.

Before we know it they will be subsidising all destinations to keep everyone happy.

 

[Tiki]

Uluru may have been tempting but the expensive accommodtion and car hire ruin it. And the only resort there which has a monopoly doesn't seem to give refunds if your state premier slams the border shut. I do want to go here but a road trip where we can bring camping gear just in case accommodation is too expensive is better. And car hire companies are fussy about having their cars on unpaved roads which makes life difficult for bird watchers.

 

[Pushka]

Was that the sound of borders I hear slamming shut? What can the Feds do to stop Premiers running their own race then whinging when tourist dollars fall or the Feds aren't sending them tourism incentives.

 

[AIRwin]

Or at least the 1/3 of a piece of cake that serves as the VA 'snack'.

No more snacks with the launch of the new retail on board offering on 25 March...

 

[Indiana]

Flexible Flying policy applies for travel up to 31 January 2022 when you book by 30 April 2021:

Virgin Australia | Bring on Wonderful

Fly with award-winning service and great value fares to popular destinations across Australia. We can't wait to welcome you onboard Virgin Australia soon.

travel.virginaustralia.com

Thank goodness for that! Finally received my future flight credits from cancelled flights!

 

[2infinity]

Anyway, Alan Joyce has already announced the caveat, which no major commercial media organisation has got off the gravy train to pick up - "off-peak flights"...

off peak flights???? are we talking only flights on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday, red-eye and late night flights or are we talking black out periods such as school holidays, or is it likely both? I hope school holidays will be available. Every other sale excludes school holidays, but this is not a sale put on by the airlines, so you would hope it includes these periods.

Anyone got an up to date list/map of available destinations?

 

[muppet]

off peak flights???? are we talking only flights on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday, red-eye and late night flights or are we talking black out periods such as school holidays, or is it likely both? I hope school holidays will be available. Every other sale excludes school holidays, but this is not a sale put on by the airlines, so you would hope it includes these periods.

Hmmmm ... to be honest, I hope taxpayer dollars are not being spent subsidising flights that are likely to be full anyway ....

This money needs to be targeted at filling planes that will otherwise be empty.

 

[2infinity]

Hmmmm ... to be honest, I hope taxpayer dollars are not being spent subsidising flights that are likely to be full anyway ....

This money needs to be targeted at filling planes that will otherwise be empty.

Empty planes wouldn't be flying, not now, not with the subsidy......full stop. The reality is the airlines will just put on more capacity if they are filling up.

 

[dajop]

The reality is the airlines will just put on more capacity if they are filling up.

Or not, and instead generate more revenue by increasing prices, which the government will essentially underwrite.

I remain extremely sceptical of a deal between the two slickest PR machines in the country - Qantas and the Federal Government.

 

[2infinity]

I remain extremely sceptical of a deal between the two slickest PR machines in the country - Qantas and the Federal Government.

So do i, and there's just so little detail available. Will no doubt have to wait till 1 April to find it all out, where the joke will be on us i'm sure.

 

[wendlle]

Uluru may have been tempting but the expensive accommodtion and car hire ruin it. And the only resort there which has a monopoly doesn't seem to give refunds if your state premier slams the border shut. I do want to go here but a road trip where we can bring camping gear just in case accommodation is too expensive is better. And car hire companies are fussy about having their cars on unpaved roads which makes life difficult for bird watchers.

Uluru is the only destination on the list I want to visit, but you're right, everything else is so expensive once you get there.

 

[PERLHR]

You make a good point, even with the “”

Including the extra leg room emergency exit seats? You are spoiled in life then!!

 

[burmans]

Uluru is the only destination on the list I want to visit, but you're right, everything else is so expensive once you get there.

It’s always going to be expensive though and in my view it’s one of the very few ‘must-see’ destinations Australia has (not suggesting there aren’t plenty of interesting places) so this may be the only discount you’ll ever get even if only only part of your trip.

 

[2infinity]

I dont think i could ever visit ulura now that climbing is banned (please don't whinge about my post and cultural sensitivity, I get it, but that's a deal breaker for me)

Now all those planes parked at Alice Springs might be interesting

 

[mviy]

I have no desire to visit Ayers Rock. I'd much rather visit other places.

 

[MooTime]

Same, if some think Ayres Rock / Uluru is something special to see, it's not, so many amazing rainforest & Reefs to see instead.

Travel 3-4 hours to see a rock?? That you can't climb.

Try NT National Parks or Cape Range NP in North WA.

 

[flydoc]

DRW has now been added, apparently after some last minute lobbying by one of the NT Senators. Routes appear to be DRW-CNS & DRW-BME.

And now all interstate return flights to/from DRW to be included, according to grab from Fed tourism minister on abc radio this morning

 

[wendlle]

How do we go about browsing thru all the included flights? Is there a special link or just a random search required?

 

[Lynda2475]

. I do want to go here but a road trip where we can bring camping gear just in case accommodation is too expensive is better.

Unless things have changed recently I think you will find the Yalara resort owns both hotels, the caravan park and the camping area - a true monopoly. So to camp outside of the resort means camping a significant drive away form the national park.