By aviation writer Scott Mayman

In 2024, we were told by aviation specialists to be prepared for an increase in airfares, with the loss of Rex and Bonza.

That prophecy was right.

A quick scan of some airfares from Canberra of 2025 pricing suggests it’s cheaper to drive out of the ACT.

One particular route, between Canberra and the Gold Coast, shows Virgin, Jetstar and Qantas are all up to more than three times the previous rates for January and parts of February.

One airline shows the occasional $90 airfare, but that’s in between fares of $200 and $300.

It makes the drive between these two destinations far more economical,  despite the high cost of petrol.

Discount air-travel is a thing of the past. We were warned about this and it seems it’s true,  unless there’s a return of airline competition in the national capital.

Let’s hope airlines can manage the cost blowouts for later in the year or perhaps Canberra Airport could offer an incentive to lower the cost of air-travel.