Some Qantas fares plummet

Press, 2 June 1981, Page 6

Some Qantas fares plummet

NZPA Sydney Qantas has announced cuts of almost $5OO in its most popular airfares, the return excursion trip to London. It also detailed slight changes in its lowest fares to the United Kingdom — the advance purchase Apex fares. The marketing director (Mr Peter Stainlay) said the new fare package enabled Quantas to compete against other airlines' discounted fares, which had "seriously eroded” its competitiveness in the Australian market. A spokesman for the airline said fare discounting overseas cost Qantas about

$25 million last year. It was particularly bad in SouthEast Asia. The new London return excursion fare is $1776 in the •peak season. $1646 in the "shoulder” season and $1276 off-peak. Qantas said they represented cuts, of about $470 putting the excursion only. $2OO above Apex. The airline has also “made adjustments” to advance purchase return fares. They are now $1576 peak season $1444 shoulder season and $1076 off-peak. The new peak season fare is down $72. the shoulder fare is up $2 and off-peak increases by $9B. .-.

Mr Stainlay said: “A feature of the new excursion fare is a free stop in Asia for those who may wish to /top over en route, avoiding the present requirement .for passengers to pay a surcharge on the fare if they wish to break their journey. “There is no need to book in advance, no cancellation penalties, and no insurance requirements. “The fare is available for trips as short as 21 days and as long as 270 days.” The new fares took effect yesterday. Luxury first class, business class, and other economy fares were unchanged.