Flight Centre boss Graham Turner warns Aussies to expect Christmas travel chaos amid seat shortages

The CEO of Flight Centre has warned Christmas vacation travellers who have not already booked flights will battle to get seats as main carriers proceed to expertise restricted capability. 

Graham Turner informed Gareth Parker on Perth‘s 6PR radio station that airways are nonetheless combating capability points as they recuperate from the setback to worldwide journey brought on by Covid-19.

An absence of airplane seats is already placing sure international locations off limits as Christmas journey chaos looms as inevitable.

The CEO of Flight Centre Graham Turner (pictured) has warned Christmas vacation travellers who have not already booked flights will battle to get seats as main carriers battle to renew pre-Covid ranges of operation

‘It’s inevitably going to get higher however the lack of capability between now and Christmas – notably round Christmas – goes to be a difficulty if individuals need to journey at Christmas,’ Mr Turner stated.

‘Domestically, it’s not too dangerous usually however internationally, we nonetheless solely have simply over 50 per cent of our pre-Covid capability flying out of Australia in the mean time.

‘That’s the primary drawback… The demand may be very heavy and it’s simply notably the worldwide carriers.

‘The dearth of pilots for the worldwide flights is among the issues.’

‘It’s inevitably going to get higher however the lack of capability between now and Christmas – notably round Christmas – goes to be a difficulty if individuals need to journey at Christmas,’ stated Mr Turner

Whereas flight costs have risen as a consequence of rising gasoline prices and the seat scarcity, Australians haven’t been postpone, with analysis exhibiting three out of 5 Aussies wish to journey within the subsequent 12 months. 

Airways behind the mass cancellations and delays at airports in latest months have pushed up their costs with tickets rising 14 per cent within the final two months alone. The typical return economic system worldwide flight value in Australia has risen to $1,761, based mostly on flight searches in July. 

On the identical time, the value of a home fare has additionally elevated.

Whereas flight costs have risen Australians haven’t been postpone desirous to journey – analysis exhibits three out of 5 Aussies wish to journey within the subsequent 12 months

Consultants say there are a number of reserving methods the typical Australian can use to get a less expensive fare 

Finder’s journey professional Stephanie Yip says there are some sneaky methods customers can beat the pinch and save on their journey prices, together with reserving flights for later this yr now whereas main airways are nonetheless having gross sales.

‘Now’s really a good time to ebook late 2022 and early 2023 flights as a bunch of gross sales have been launched this week,’ she stated.

‘In case you have a vacation spot in thoughts however the value is simply too excessive, arrange a value alert to be notified every time the fare adjustments.’

There are some days cost-conscious Aussies shouldn’t plan to fly in any respect, Ms Yip stated.

‘Weekend flights from Friday to Sunday are sometimes the most costly and most in demand.

‘Should you can fly out on a weekday… Tuesday is usually the most affordable, that may actually assist to maintain prices down.

Her different tip was to leap on low-cost fares as quickly as they present up.

‘E book as early as you may. Should you see an affordable worldwide fare, snag it right away,’ she stated.

Customers needs to be seeking to ebook flights for weekdays, notably Tuesdays, and getting in early throughout present gross sales earlier than the value of airfares rises additional later within the yr