The cost of flights between Perth and the Pilbara

[anat0l]

We don't feel that we're entitled to it. All we want is a fair price for airfares instead of the gouging that is going on. Why should people who live up here be put at a disadvantage because of FIFO workers? Looking at the most expensive one way fare of $650 at $1.02/mile I'm not sure that people wanting to fly SYD-PER would be happy to pay an economy fare of $2074 one way.

No, but the mining companies don't have a near-complete carte blanche on the capacity of the flights between Perth and the Eastern capitals. Yet.... (and may it never get to that point)

It's an unfortunate supply and demand affair. You may like to say it's another unfortunate consequence of the FIFO system (viz. FIFO really investing more into local economies? Not really........ but there's a lot more to this argument, much beyond this thread)

Jokes aside, I'm surprised that some of the smaller charter airlines don't try and run little commuter services for the Pilbara. Probably they might be swamped by mining company business too.

Heaven forbid, if the mining in the Pilbara folded up tomorrow, you might see prices on flights drop finally. Then again, they may stay much the same since a higher price will be required to pay for the flight (with potentially less people on board) - the "regional flights" syndrome - or you'll find reductions in service frequency (or, perhaps, downgauges to Q400 / B717 aircraft).

If QF or DJ had the power to do much, what could they do? Set aside inventory at a lower price for residents etc.? Mining companies would probably blow up over that one - they want those seats. How many should they set aside per flight/day/week? How much should they cost? (Everyone these days is claiming that if I can get it cheaper elsewhere, you're ripping me off.) Should we also make a note for private contractors, non-mining businesses (including, for example, public services and charities)? I suppose in order to secure that inventory, you'd need to call QF or DJ, fax or somehow present a proof of residency in the Pilbara (e.g. a phone or electricity bill, or driver's license) before you can purchase a ticket.

Perhaps mining companies should be lobbied, within their social obligations to the communities being affected by their operations, they assist with subsidies etc. to allow residents to economically use services such as flights to and from PER. After all, they are (indirectly, but still) responsible for creating other skewed realities, like the costs of groceries.

Why should a privately owned company sacrifice their own profits just to be nice to local residents who choose to live in a certain location?

Kind of depends on whether those said residents were there before or after the mining commenced (either in planning, construction or operational phases). Then there's always the argument of the changing dynamics of the business, environment and community.

After all, is it really just profit, profit, profit and nothing else matters?

 

[kiwi2768]

How is this comparison in any way valid when you use the most expensive fare?

So they would definitely be happy then, using the cheaper $425 fare and the rate of 66c a mile, to pay $1342 for a one way economy seat?

 

[kiwi2768]

I believe someone from PHE has contacted the airlines in regards to fares for residents and it is being looked at by one airline at this stage. Proof of residency would be required.

 

[pat25d]

I believe someone from PHE has contacted the airlines in regards to fares for residents and it is being looked at by one airline at this stage. Proof of residency would be required.

I don't see how that is fair at all really, I am a resident of Sydney, the flights from Syd-Mel are obviously fare-affected due to the amount of business travel between the 2 cities.

Can I get cheaper flights SYD-MEL because of that?

Don't think so.

 

[anat0l]

I don't see how that is fair at all really, I am a resident of Sydney, the flights from Syd-Mel are obviously fare-affected due to the amount of business travel between the 2 cities.

Can I get cheaper flights SYD-MEL because of that?

Don't think so.

If we are to believe the real war going on between the heavyweights right now, SYD-MEL flights will get much cheaper by their own accord in time. And no one (or two, or three) industries can artificially skew that dynamic.

 

[pat25d]

My point is where do you draw the line?

Residents of Hamilton Island vs Tourism Industry
Residents of Adelaide vs Festivals

etc.

 

[here2go]

KTE, PHE, etc. It's all supply and demand.

Flights to Darwin get cheaper in the wet during school time as not many people come up from down south (both Tourists and Head Office workers). Then prices go up as 40% of population disappears over Christmas. Flights to Asia are also often cheaper than down south, despite all the taxes, and sometimes they are crazy too!
I'm flying DRW-MUC in Dec Y Fare in Dec with MI/SQ. MI DRW-SIN return would have been $1300 on it's own, whereas the entire flight is just over $2K. Bums on seats!

 

[anat0l]

My point is where do you draw the line?

Residents of Hamilton Island vs Tourism Industry
Residents of Adelaide vs Festivals

etc.

I think the short answer is - there is no line. That said, if you can put up a good case for the residents of Hamilton Island and Adelaide for a similar "subsidy" or whatever, go for your life! They'll thank you for it!

Of course, my stance is that the primary proponent of the subsidy should be the corporation which has contributed the most to the skew. It should not come from the government (except perhaps in legislation, if it so comes to it) or the airline. For the corporation it then becomes a CSR thing.

 

[Justinf]

Try getting MEL-CBR for anything less than $129 these days.

 

[The Rok]

Try getting MEL-CBR for anything less than $129 these days.

Given that Govt is the primary business in CBR should we expect them to pay for airlines to offer cheap subsidised seats to non Govt locals? I don't think so.

 

[medhead]

We don't feel that we're entitled to it. All we want is a fair price for airfares instead of the gouging that is going on. Why should people who live up here be put at a disadvantage because of FIFO workers? Looking at the most expensive one way fare of $650 at $1.02/mile I'm not sure that people wanting to fly SYD-PER would be happy to pay an economy fare of $2074 one way.

So you're talking about ZNE. It is still not the most expensive airfare per mile in the world. It still isn't more expensive than OLP on the second most expensive (but cheapest available) fare.

Now let's take ADL-OLP for mid September that's starts at $1.037 per mile and some flights are $1.363. Sorry Pilbara is not the most expensive route in the world by a long shot.

How is this comparison in any way valid when you use the most expensive fare?

It's not.

Heaven forbid, if the mining in the Pilbara folded up tomorrow, you might see prices on flights drop finally. Then again, they may stay much the same since a higher price will be required to pay for the flight (with potentially less people on board) - the "regional flights" syndrome - or you'll find reductions in service frequency (or, perhaps, downgauges to Q400 / B717 aircraft).

My observation on the OLP route says that a reduction in mining demand would most likely see prices rise. Certainly airfare to OLP were more expensive when they had lower frequencies and smaller aircraft. The most I've paid as a resident for a personal flight was about $1200 to $1500 return, 644 miles $2+ per mile.

Kind of depends on whether those said residents were there before or after the mining commenced (either in planning, construction or operational phases). Then there's always the argument of the changing dynamics of the business, environment and community.

Since the OP is talking about ZNE, Newman, there were no residents before mining.

 

[dajop]

Sounds like some routes where people may actually welcome TT and a route where TT could even make money.

 

[kalboy]

About 3 weeks ago i had a rant on QF's facebook page about KGI prices, the rant got a good following with over a 1000 likes and a further 500 comments. Being a weekend it just seemed to take its own momentum. The following Tuesday prices dropped. and are stil down. KGI-PER went from 400 to still being under 200 and KGI-ADL @230 mark. I cant say for sure what influence my rant had but being a Friday it may be a good experiment to try. Just for fun..

 

[vitagen]

The problem is unless you can get goodcorp rates, flying to mining towns can be prohibative in the days of shift change and the 0540-0700 per-zne and the 1620-1900 flight times. Our fully flex return flights from per-zne-per costs $ 725

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[medhead]

About 3 weeks ago i had a rant on QF's facebook page about KGI prices, the rant got a good following with over a 1000 likes and a further 500 comments. Being a weekend it just seemed to take its own momentum. The following Tuesday prices dropped. and are stil down. KGI-PER went from 400 to still being under 200 and KGI-ADL @230 mark. I cant say for sure what influence my rant had but being a Friday it may be a good experiment to try. Just for fun..

About 1000 people have posted similar on the QF Facebook page.

 

[Mal]

Weekends are generally a good time to start rants on Facebook. Not many companies actively monitor over the weekend and its easy to get mob action going before the company can respond...

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