Business

Be careful what you do at the airport this holiday season

Published

6 months ago

December 7, 2022

ticker NEWS

Passengers are being urged to stay on the ‘Nice List’ at Australian airports as the festive season approaches

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will step up its patrol of major airports across Australia as the festive season gets underway.

The aviation sector is recovering from over two years of pandemic-related turbulence.

However, travel demand is beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Melbourne International Airport recently recorded 78 per cent passenger numbers when compared to figures from October 2019.

These figures are expected to increase during the festive season, which has prompted the AFP to bolster its commitment to protecting passengers.

Authorities are working with airlines, airports and regulatory authorities to help ensure a safe environment for passengers.

More than 330 alleged offenders have been charged around 420 charges at Australian airports between May and October this year.

In most cases, the charges involved intoxication, offensive behaviour, possessing a prohibited weapon, carrying prohibited items, public disturbance and incidents relating to assault.

“This is a special time of the year, and the AFP is at airports to keep passengers safe,’’ Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said.

“The majority of passengers do the right thing, but we know those who do not can be disruptive for other passengers.”

How prepared are Australian airports?

The Australian Airports Association concedes this upcoming holiday season will be a “busy one”.

However, company chief executive officer James Goodwin said it is important travellers do the “right thing” and respect each other.”

“Australian Airports Association chief executive officer James Goodwin said the holiday season would be a busy one, but it was important travellers did the right thing and respected each other,” he said.

Australian airports have been impacted by staff shortages, because of pandemic-related illness.

The national carrier, Qantas has come under fire for firing thousands of staff during the height of the pandemic, which have impacted consumers at many Australian airports.

The airline apologised for its barrage of delayed or cancelled flights, and lost luggage as travellers returned to the skies since the height of Covid-lockdowns brought the sector to a grinding halt.

“On behalf of the national carrier, I want to apologise and assure you that we’re working hard to get back to our best,” said Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce at the time.

Business

When will airfares begin to fall?

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2023

ticker NEWS

As the global aviation market rebounds, airlines are changing their service offerings

Over 46 million workers in the global aviation sector lost their jobs as global aviation came to a grinding halt at the onset of the pandemic.

However, Geoffrey Thomas from AirlineRatings.com said passengers have returned to airport terminals and boarded flights in droves.

“When travelled returned, many of us wondered what sort of low airfares will we have to be charged to entice people back onto airplanes.”

In February 2023, total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) rose 55.5 per cent when compared to February 2022.

Globally, traffic is at 84.9 per cent of February 2019 levels.

“It was a stampede, the likes of which we have never seen before,” Mr Thomas said.

Business

The worst of inflation could be behind us

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2023

ticker NEWS

The unprecedented nature of the pandemic continue to shape international fiscal policy

As reserve banks and federal reserves continue to battle the impacts of Covid-19, inflation has become a dominate issue.

In some parts of the world, rising household costs have slowed consumer spending by more than expected.

It means the end of aggressive rate hikes could come to an end in a matter of months.

In Australia, recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed inflation has passed its peak and is beginning to moderate.

The numbers show annual inflation peaked in December 2022 but will still remain higher for longer than anticipated.

Matt Grudnoff is a Senior Economist at The Australia Institute, who said these are uncharted waters.

“I don’t think they should be fully blamed.

“The pandemic was an entirely different kind of recession, one that we have never seen before.

“The world went into recession because the world shut down for very good health reasons.

“But the economy rebounded extremely quickly, simply because there was no underlying problem with the economy,” he said.

Business

“I think there is a great risk”: will AI steal our jobs?

Published

2 days ago

May 31, 2023

ticker NEWS

Artificial Intelligence has become an increasingly powerful and pervasive force in our modern world.

Artificial intelligence is not a new concept. However, the growing advancements have the potential to revolutionise industries, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of life.

Along with its promising advancements, artificial intelligence also brings certain risks and challenges that must be acknowledged and addressed.

It has become the focus of lawmakers, who are working towards greater regulation of the sector.

U.S. and European Union officials recently met in Sweden to weigh up the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

“The AI process is creeping up on us,” said Dr Keith Suter, who is a global futurist.

“You’ve got competition between companies.”

It’s almost like some of us can see this raft that’s heading towards the rapids and a disappearance towards the waterfall, and we’re giving a warning but it’s not being heeded because everybody’s in this race to get down to the river,” Dr Suter said.