Cloncurry resident Hamish Griffin is continuing to keep the pressure on Qantas and Virgin Airlines amid anger over price gouging on North West Queensland routes.
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On November 16 Mr Griffin said Virgin Airlines “really just don’t get it” with their latest sales offering in time for the upcoming school holidays that is $100 more expensive than usual.
“$585 One way from Cloncurry to Brisbane with Complimentary baggage, food and entertainment. Complimentary baggage? That’s a given anyway,” Mr Griffin said.
“The food is half a sandwich thrown at you and did you ever see any entertainment on an Alliance flight apart from the sandwich throwing and the bewildered looks on people’s faces at the lack of proper food and entertainment for the over the top fare they just paid.”
Mr Griffin said the fact Virgin subcontracted the flight to Alliance Airlines was false advertising and he asked Virgin to answer the five questions the North West Star asked earlier this month.
“Stop treating the people of Cloncurry like we are just dumb fools, we will not be taken for idiots and I will take action,” he said.
Virgin responded to Mr Griffin on Facebook but did not answer his questions directly.
Virgin told Mr Griffin the price of seats on a flight fluctuated due to many factors, including demand, seasonality and availability.
“Virgin Australia is committed to providing competitive airfares on flights within Queensland and regularly runs sales on regional Queensland fares,” the company said.
“We encourage guests to book as early as possible to secure the cheapest fares available, as well as subscribe to our sales alerts.”
Mr Griffin also took aim at Qantas.
“How can (CEO Alan) Joyce justify charging a family of three $4500 for return flights from Cloncurry to Townsville when we could fly return from Sydney to LA, London or Auckland four times for the same money,” he said. “How can he explain that every school holidays the cost of flights more than double.”
In March Mr Griffin suggested that proposed charter flights from Cloncurry could undercut the two major carriers.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
