Airfares at record lows for DecemberAAPDecember 05, 2008...

Airfares at record lows for December

AAP
December 05, 2008 06:02pm
AIRFARES are at their lowest ever levels for December.
Monthly data compiled by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics shows December is historically the most expensive month to travel.

But the latest figures show fares are now at record lows, with both discounted and full-economy airfares showing sharp drops.

Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) executive director Olivia Wirth said airlines were responding to dropping demand by slashing prices.

Jetstar was this week conducting a "Friday Fare Frenzy" with tickets as low as $19 from Melbourne to Hobart.

A ticket from Brisbane to Townsville cost $49 and $70 would get tourists between Cairns and either Melbourne or Sydney with change.

Virgin Blue is having its own sale in which Adelaide-Melbourne, Brisbane-Whitsundays, Melbourne-Newcastle and Sydney-Ballina tickets cost just $39.

"There has never been a better festive season in Australia to take a domestic Australian flight," Ms Wirth said.
She said with petrol prices and interest rates down, the family holiday was more affordable now than it had been for a while.

"We are urging Australians to take a holiday within Australia to take advantage of these affordable airfares and support the Australian tourism industry," Ms Wirth said.

"Taking a domestic holiday will not only help you recharge your batteries, it will help minimise the impacts of the global financial crisis."