AirAsia warns sky-high airport charges will deter tourists

[flee 5]

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes has lashed out at airport charges in Australia as some of the highest in the world and warned that "tourists won't come forever because there is plenty of choice".

Speaking in Sydney on Thursday, the flamboyant entrepreneur and founder of Asia's largest budget airline group said airport charges and taxes here were "very, very high" at $67 a passenger, which in some cases were more than half the cost of a fare. In contrast, AirAsia paid on average about $US10 ($13) in other parts of the world.

"When you put Australian airport charges and taxes against the world, it is probably one of the highest in the world. I don't understand it," he said.

Asked whether Australia was pricing itself out of the market, Mr Fernandes said consumers had numerous choices of where to holiday because the world had become globalised.

"Tourists won't come forever because there is plenty of choice. I think consumers should be put first in creating a differentiated service," he told reporters.

In a bid to rebuild support following a difficult few months, AirAsia released fares for flights from Australia to destinations such as Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Penang for as low as $67. The sale is for just 24 hours.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/airasia-warns-skyhigh-airport-charges-will-deter-tourists-20150312-141qxn.html

 

[Suzanne Goh 0]

Nothing beats the pornographic, obscene and vulgar UK APD - so ridiculous it should be illegal

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

As a matter of fact, surprisingly, the UK APD rate is going down in the new 2015 tax year.

 

From 1 April 2015, for London-KL nonstop flight per one way journey:

 

Economy class: £71 (from £97 currently)

Business & First: £142 (from £194 currently)

 

So yeah, Australia should take a hard look on a mirror and sedar diri and reduce the airport tax accordingly because no one beats London.

[Waiping 12]

No wonder they still go in by boat.

[flee 5]

Nothing beats the pornographic, obscene and vulgar UK APD - so ridiculous it should be illegal

Yes, this is Gordon Brown's legacy!

 

APD rates went up too fast and too illogically! That is why the present govt. had to reduce it. Makes little sense if pax can travel to Paris (via Eurostar) or Amsterdam to catch flights there and the total cost is still lower!

[Kee Hooi Yen 0]

Unlike UK, unfortunately there is no alternative airports other than those in Australia for people travelling to Australia, unless they come by boat as Waiping said

[Mulyadir Fitri 0]

If you plan your travel far ahead, Eurostar can be booked for as low as £35 one way. CDG is the choice for many now.

[Suzanne Goh 0]

Yes, this is Gordon Brown's legacy!

 

APD rates went up too fast and too illogically! That is why the present govt. had to reduce it. Makes little sense if pax can travel to Paris (via Eurostar) or Amsterdam to catch flights there and the total cost is still lower!

 

 

If you plan your travel far ahead, Eurostar can be booked for as low as £35 one way. CDG is the choice for many now.

 

CDG is a popular choice for exiting Europe after London cause it's near. A bit leceh if you're going from T2A-F to T1 if coming home on MH - but the savings are there. AMS/ARN/CPH are decent also.

[S V Choong 4]

As a matter of fact, surprisingly, the UK APD rate is going down in the new 2015 tax year.

 

From 1 April 2015, for London-KL nonstop flight per one way journey:

 

Economy class: £71 (from £97 currently)

Business & First: £142 (from £194 currently)

 

So yeah, Australia should take a hard look on a mirror and sedar diri and reduce the airport tax accordingly because no one beats London.

 

No one beats London in terms of what? May be lifestyle? I think lifestyle and weather in Australia seemed to be better to begin with..... Anyway, one man's meat is another man's poison. (Personally, give me Tokyo anytime, I will say it is miles ahead of London).

 

Currently the airport tax in both Sydney in Melbourne is around AUD $47 (about to be increased to $55). Then everyone is slapped with a safety and security charge and finally a passenger service charge. Total comes to AUD $79 for return flight from Melbourne or AUD $98 from Sydney. Factor in the Australian living standard, which is pretty high compared to other parts of the world. At AUD $98 (which is equivalent of GBP 50 these days), it is still cheaper than what the UK charged. Even if you factored in the AUD$20 ETA visa, it will cost AUD $118 to Sydney (roughly GBP 61.10). Still slightly cheaper.

 

The airport tax in Australia is about half, but all the other additions stuff made up other costs.

Edited March 14, 2015 by S V Choong

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

 

No one beats London in terms of what? May be lifestyle? I think lifestyle and weather in Australia seemed to be better to begin with..... Anyway, one man's meat is another man's poison. (Personally, give me Tokyo anytime, I will say it is miles ahead of London).

 

No one beats London in terms of airport tax lah.

[Mike P 0]

Hi All, thought want to ask this if purchases of Add Ons were made on 1st April onwards, will GST be imposed?

[flee 5]

Hi All, thought want to ask this if purchases of Add Ons were made on 1st April onwards, will GST be imposed?

Yes, for domestic flights only.