Qantas flags higher fares and more Jetstar fees as profit falls to four-year low
The airline said fuel costs helped drive its weakest pre-tax result in four years and signalled it may lift prices while widening charges at Jetstar.
Qantas has said it may raise ticket prices and broaden extra fees at Jetstar after reporting its lowest pre-tax profit in four years on Thursday. The airline pointed to higher fuel costs, while chief executive Vanessa Hudson said demand for travel remained solid despite pressure on household budgets.
Hudson said the company had room to seek more revenue because customers were still booking flights. Qantas also said it was considering a new charge for carry-on luggage on Jetstar, though it did not forecast what effect that might have on sales or earnings.
The airline framed the add-on charges as part of giving travellers more options. It did not provide a timeline for any fare changes or say how widely the Jetstar fees could be applied.
The result adds to a period of higher operating costs for airlines, with fuel a major factor in Qantas's latest annual figures. Jetstar, the group's low-cost arm, has been a key part of its pricing strategy as the carrier looks to protect margins.
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