Letter to the Editor: We deserve answers on airline fares

DEAR News Of The Area,

INTERESTING to listen to QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan speak to the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce and then to the media on Wednesday, 29 October.

When asked why airfares Sydney to Coffs Harbour were $150 dearer than flights to Ballina (same day flight/same day booking) she replied:

– That QantasLink had added some 1400-plus seat capacity with newer aircraft and this would assist with such price differences. Unfortunately she didn’t explain how this would happen. I think this is called avoiding the question (or spin). Perhaps the better explanation would be that QantasLink had added 1400-plus seats and would now be able to generate even more revenue from the flights to and from Coffs Harbour due to having a virtual monopoly.

– That listeners should understand that the Ballina market is so much different than the Coffs market and that price comparisons are unwarranted. Ballina attracts far moré tourists to destinations such as Byron Bay… more spin!

She failed to explain that with multiple airlines flying to Ballina, competition is keeping prices to Ballina lower than those to Coffs Harbour.

Another high flying executive with little empathy or understanding of our local area and the need for affordable air services.

Profit rules.

C’mon residents… let’s not be mushrooms and kept in the dark.

Let’s all get busy and write to QantasLink, our local, State and Federal members and our Mayor.

What are they doing to benefit residents of Coffs Harbour?

We deserve lower airfares.

We deserve an explanation and we deserve to know what our representatives are doing.

Regards,
John FOWLER,
Coffs Harbour.