Do Airbnb really think there’s going to be a big popular uprising to defend them - when people hate having airbnbs as neighbours, they drive up rents for locals in tourist areas and everyone already knows Airbnb priced themselves out of the market with the push to insane cleaning fees and drip pricing.
Real hotels are vastly better in every way.
I mean, a big business getting their knickers in a twist that their price-gouging, consumer-leeching practices are getting regulated by a government? Cry me a river these companies need to be pared back a bit in the way they run their joint.
Yep, I don’t use Airbnb for pretty much those reasons, particularly rental impacts.
And I like having on site support for any issues with my room/apartment.
Tourists to New Zealand will be charged an NZ$100 fee to visit, but Aussies will be spared the tourist tax.
The international visitor levy (IVL) will be hiked from NZ$35 (AU$32) to NZ$100 (AU$92) from October under changes announced on Tuesday.
Australians and travellers from most Pacific nations are exempt from the IVL.
Introduced in 2019, the IVL is plugged back into tourism and conservation projects to support both the sector and the places visitors like to go.
NZ Airports have been hiking charges also, fares across the Tasman can be quite expensive. People will book elsewhere. AKL will become one of the most expensive airports for carriers to operate from once they finish all the upgrades.
Shadow Transport Minister Bridget McKenzie on Monday morning proposed the government could introduce aviation break-up powers to improve the behaviour of the Qantas and Virgin duopoly.
The Coalition has already adopted a Nationals proposal for similar divestiture powers in the groceries sector, saying the oversized market share of Coles and Woolworths has distorted competition there.
Senator McKenzie suggested the same powers could be introduced for the airlines, adding that while the Coalition did not want to force a sell-off, the threat alone could be effective.
But hours after that suggestion, Mr Littleproud took to Sky News where he said it was too early to pursue airline break-up powers like those it has pushed for supermarkets.
Senator McKenzie proposed the idea in her opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review today.
The UK introduced its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme late last year, which was only required for travellers from several Middle Eastern countries.
That scheme has now been expanded to include dozens more nations, including Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, Norway and Japan. The fee attached to the ETA is £10, which works out to be roughly AUD$19.60.
ETA applications will open on November 27 but won’t be needed unless you’re travelling to the UK after January 8 next year.
You can sign up for an ETA using the UK government’s phone app or through their website and every person coming into the country will need an ETA, including children and babies.
Aussies will need to upload a picture of their passport and answer personal questions to get approved for an ETA. This information will be checked against security databases and the whole process takes up to three days to complete.
Having an ETA will allow Aussies to stay in the UK for up to six months at a time and have multiple visits over two years or until the person’s passport expires.
Brisbane Airport is being renovated as part of a $5 billion plan to give the international terminal a makeover, upgrade the domestic terminal, and work to construct a third terminal.
The upgrades focus on security and passenger experience, while the new terminal will service both domestic and international travellers.
Brisbane Times adds:
And as part of the revamp, Brisbane’s most photographed golden gateway will make way for a 7.5-metre “departures beacon” leading travellers to the new security point.
Out:
In:
The first flight from Istanbul to Sydney leaves on Wednesday, December 4, while the return flight departs Sydney the next night.
The Federal Government has approved Melbourne Airport’s plans for a third runway. The second North-South runway is now scheduled to open in 2031, a year later than initially planned.
One of the government’s conditions is that the airport must restore its east-west runway to its full length and maximize its usage.
What was the reason behind the airport reducing the length of the east-west runway?
Qantas is increasing the price of fees customers incur when they make changes to their bookings or cancel their flights.
Change and cancellation fees for domestic flights will increase from $99 to $119 from October 9.
That is a rip off.
One thing I love about many of the US Domestic carriers, is they don’t have change or cancel fees. Southwest is the best for for this. No change or cancel fees, bags fly free also.
I believe some of the low cost players like Spirit and Frontier have also just dropped the change fees.
Why can’t Australian carriers do the same thing?Something might change,you get sick,etc,and you’re not able to fly on the date/time you originally booked
Can I just say wow and WTF!
I was just playing around on the my phone and had a look at flights from Brisbane to Sydney for next Friday to Sunday.
Both Qantas and Virgin over $450 there and $450 back.
Thats insane.
Rex was $140 max.
I could drive and stay at Coffs overnight for $123. I think I might do that when going back to visit family.
No planes. No tight seats and potentially getting sick. Drive at my own pace and save $800!!
At least then I’ll have my own car to get around.
Blimey! Prices are high!
Luckily I’ve already booked flights to Melbourne and back next January for the Oz Open . I plan to stay about 3 nights ,maybe go to a day session at Rod Laver Arena when I’m there
Did you pay a reasonable price for the flights?
