Airfares soar on key Aussie flights after Rex’s collapse – and footy fans are being slogged with exorbitant prices

Travelers are facing huge price hikes on airfares as airlines capitalize on the sudden demise of smaller competitors Rex and Bonza.

Data shows that economy fares on Virgin, Qantas and subsidiary Jetstar have risen by an average of 15 percent since Rex went bust in July, owing it $500 million. Some tickets have even doubled in price.

This has led to football fans who booked a last-minute trip to the final having to pay exorbitant prices to watch their team play in another state.

A North Queensland Cowboys fan took to social media to rail against the major airlines.

“We travel like no other fan, we fly to Sydney for the next three weekends to support. But $1500-$1700 return flight from TSV-SYD is a joke. GF will cost twice that. Help the fans,” he wrote.

Another frustrated fan claimed the same thing was happening all over the country, claiming Hawthorn fans were being forced to pay ridiculous ticket prices to travel to last weekend’s AFL semi-final against Port Adelaide.

“Last week flights from Melbourne to Adelaide were over $900 for a flight of almost an hour. It’s ridiculous,” he said.

The price increases are not only due to Rex’s plight, but also to the demise of budget airline Bonza in April after just 15 months of operating flights.

“It’s clear we’re starting to see the impact of not one but two airlines going bust in the space of four months under the watch of the Albania Labor government,” Bridget McKenzie, opposition Transport spokeswoman, told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Flight prices have risen by more than 50 per cent since the Labour Party came to power and by 15 per cent since Rex took office and abandoned the capital’s air routes.

‘Air travel is an essential service for many Australians, particularly those living in the regions…

‘And there is no indication to date that the government plans to take any action to support travellers or tackle Australia’s persistent duopoly.’

Qantas denies that there is any question of excessive pricing in the first two weeks of the AFL and NRL finals, saying its tickets are actually ‘lower priced than this time last year, adjusted for inflation’.

A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it has scheduled an additional flight (QF734) from Adelaide to Sydney for next Friday for the preliminary final between Port and the Swans, with fares starting from $394.

The airline is also preparing for an additional flight between Townsville and Brisbane, allowing fans to connect to Sydney.

Virgin also told Daily Mail Australia that it is committed to providing customers with regular deals and that it has booked around 130,000 Rex passengers for free since July 31.

Qantas has added an extra flight at 10am on Friday for Port Adelaide fans to travel to Sydney ahead of the preliminary final. Pictured: A Port Adelaide fan

Qantas has denied claims of excessive prices in the first two weeks of the AFL and NRL finals, saying its tickets are ‘actually cheaper than this time last year, adjusted for inflation’

“Virgin Australia remains focused on providing exceptional value and choice to Australian travellers. We continue to offer regular promotions where customers can score great fares,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

Transport Minister Catherine King said fares were now well below their 2022 peaks and even lower than pre-COVID, but she would keep a close eye on major airlines.

“The ACCC has made it clear that they are closely monitoring air fares and are watching for other airlines to increase fares on routes where Rex no longer operates,” she said.

“If Qantas or Virgin abuse their power, they can expect to be caught.”