News
Australia’s discount domestic fares on the rise this month
August 18th 2026
Australia’s domestic passengers travelling on the lowest priced "best discount" fares are facing higher airfares this month compared with a year earlier, government figures show. Read More » Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) monthly report said its measure of best discount economy fares has risen 15.4%, or 9.3 index points, to 69.8 points in August. The measure of restricted economy fares was also higher, albeit at a more moderate 0.6 of an index point, or 1.1%, at 55.6 points. The BITRE measure of business class airfares was 3.8% lower year-on-year at 50 points. "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." Australia’s two major airline groups - Qantas Group and Virgin Australia - were due to report their 2025/26 full year results later in August.
