Fare wars Down Under

Australians and those traveling Down Under are currently benefiting from a sale war being fought out by the nation’s two budget airlines. Virgin Blue is currently offering cut rate tickets as part of its Plane Crazy sale, prompting Jetstar to slash rates as part of its “one million seats” sale.

In order to take advantage, travelers should call their travel agents or get online because the sales are only lasting a few more days. Travel, however, can be completed anytime in the first part of 2008.

Industry experts believe that the fare wars are not so much about competition between the two Australian carriers but rather an attempt to grab customers and secure their loyalty before Tiger Airways, another budget airline from Asia, enters the fray.

Whatever the case, the savings right now are amazing.

Jetstar has flights between Adelaide and Melbourne (Avalon Airport) for just $39 one way. Adelaide to Cairns is just $99. These flights must be booked before 23:30 on Monday (South Australian time) and are for travel between certain dates in 2008.

Virgin Blue has the following flights to offer.
Adelaide to:

• Melbourne (Tullamarine Airport): $65
• Sydney: $89
• Brisbane: $89
• Canberra: $77
• Gold Coast: $89
• Hobart: $79
• Perth: $139
• Darwin: $199
• Sunshine Coast: $129.

Travelers have until midnight next Thursday to book seats through the airline’s website for selected travel dates in 2008.

Tiger Airlines will begin operating from Melbourne on November 23rd this year and has already begun selling tickets on eight routes. Last week it had a sale on 15,000 tickets on its new network. With flights between Melbourne to Launceston going for $9.95 and flights to the Gold Cost for as little as $19, they sold out fast.

www.virginblue.com.au