The Albanese government this week confirmed the decision was made in part to protect Qantas' profitability.
Today it was quizzed as to why travellers shouldn't have more choice when booking a flight.An expansion of Qatar Airways operations in Australia could have driven fares down by as much as 40 per cent, according to an industry leader.
Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka told ABC Radio National allowing Qatar Airways to increase the number of flights into Australia would lower airfares and boost tourism."The statistics say two-thirds of the seats that were flying in and out of Australia pre-COVID are back and one-third of those seats are not yet back.Joyce said since March 2020 $3 billion in refunds have been granted.Qatar Airways is a strategic partner with Virgin Australia.
Last week the flag carrier said it owed customers $370 million for flights cancelled during COVID, but this week it was revealed at least another $100 million was owed to Jetstar customers and another $50 in overseas flight credits.
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