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Australia’s domestic fares on the rise this month
May 19th 2026
Australia’s domestic passengers travelling in all cabins are facing higher airfares this month compared with a year earlier, local data reveals. Read More » Figures published by Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) show the measure of best discount economy fares has risen 9.2%, or 5.2 index points, to 61 points in April. The measure of restricted economy fares was up 2.9 index points, or 5.5%, at 55.4 points. The BITRE measure of business class airfares was 3.8% higher year-on-year at 52.1 points. Australia’s two major airline groups - Qantas Group and Virgin Australia - have both announced fare increases in response to the rising cost of jet fuel in recent weeks. "The series is a price index of the lowest available fare in each fare class weighted over selected routes," BITRE said. "It does not measure real airline yields or average fares paid by passengers."
