Christmas has always been the most expensive time to travel with Australians jet-setting around the world to see family and friends, but new cut-price air fares have seen some of the lowest ever travel costs for December.
Historically, December can be a crippling month for people travelling to visit relatives and loved ones during the festive season, with some people missing out entirely because of the prohibitive costs of travel. But the latest figures from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics have shown that fares are now at record-breaking lows and December is the perfect time to take advantage of both discounted and full-economy fares.
Qantas' budget airline Jetstar has jumped on the bandwagon offering "Friday Fare Frenzy" airfares with tickets selling for as little as $19 one-way from Melbourne to Hobart. Travellers can hop from Brisbane to Townsville for just $49 and Melbourne and Sydneysiders can fly to Cairns for less than $70.
Richard Branson, as always, is dipping his hat in the cut-price fare war with tickets between Adelaide and Melbourne, Brisbane and the Whitsundays, Melbourne and Newcastle and Sydney and Ballina costing just $39.
Airlines are being forced to slash their prices due to a significant increase in demand for low air fares by the Australian public, said Tourism and Transport Forum's executive director Olivia Wirth. This, along with dropping fuel prices and interest rates have made the family holiday more affordable than it has been in a long time.
Ms Writh said, "We are urging Australians to take a holiday within Australia to take advantage of these affordable airfares and support the Australian tourism industry. Taking a domestic holiday will not only help you recharge your batteries, it will help minimise the impacts of the global financial crisis."
So it seems in the midst of one of the most depressing economic climates in history, the Australian travel industry has given us all an early Christmas present, with this year being one of the best ever for festive season travel.
Your Say: Will you be taking advantage of the low air fares this Christmas? Tell us your travel plans below...
Home