Days after announcing a record 2.5 billion profit, Qantas has found itself embroiled in controversy as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) accuses the airline of selling tickets that had already been cancelled.
This allegation came just after Qantas proudly reported record profits, leading to questions about the integrity of the company’s operations.
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ACCC Chairperson Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the organisation has evidence that “part of the considerations was the optimisation of the network, responding to lower yields than they expected”.
On today’s The Briefing episode, we interview Senator Jane Hume, one of the MPs confronting Qantas boss Alan Joyce, to find out why the Albanese government is hellbent on stopping airlines like Qantas from increasing flight numbers.
The airline had initially announced the expiration policy, drawing backlash from customers who had accumulated flight credits during the pandemic-related disruptions.
Qantas also announced that it would extend the deadline for passengers wanting to claim refunds on flights cancelled during the pandemic.
Ms Hume said by denying Qantas Airways additional routes in and out of Australia, people are artificially inflating the prices of airfares.
It’s Australians that are paying the price, and that’s why this decision of the government is inexplicable,”
she said.
Airfares are much higher than they were just a couple of years ago, and this was an opportunity for the government to decide that would bring the price of airfares down for ordinary Australians.”
As the legal battle between Qantas and the ACCC unfolds, the airline’s image and relationship with customers hang in the balance.
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