Money

Will airfares still be expensive in 2024?

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2023

Flights connecting Australia and Europe are set to remain prohibitively expensive until the end of 2024, with a drop in prices expected thereafter, according to the CEO of Flight Centre, Graham Turner.

While travelers eager to reunite with family or soak in the European summer sun might find this timeline less than ideal, Turner emphasized the need for patience. “It’s a long time to wait, and airfares will stay relatively high,” he conceded.

These remarks come on the heels of Transport Minister Catherine King’s promise of imminent reductions in ticket prices. King faced criticism for rejecting Qatar Airways’ application to double their weekly flights to major Australian cities. Turner acknowledged that the proposed increase in Qatar flights wouldn’t have dramatically lowered international airfare costs but viewed it as a step in the right direction.

European vacation

Turner noted that airfares to Asian destinations are poised to become more affordable soon.

However, flights to Europe and the United Kingdom will remain costly due to lower capacity on flights to the Middle East, a vital stopover on routes to Europe. He explained that the demand for these flights is outstripping their limited capacity, thus keeping prices elevated.

Rico Merkert, a Professor in Transport at the University of Sydney Business School, concurred that while prices to Asia are decreasing, the constrained capacity to Europe is preventing a similar trend. He suggested that prices would only fall once full capacity is restored, but financial pressures on Australians and rising jet fuel costs could also influence carriers to reduce prices.

Minister King’s recent aviation green paper highlighted the importance of maintaining aviation capacity ahead of demand. She stated that airline capacity had reached approximately 91% of pre-COVID levels, with more flights planned to help drive down prices.

Despite increased capacity, travelers may face high Christmas travel costs, with Turner stating that a return flight to the UK could cost over $3,000 this holiday season.

Money

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

2 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

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#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

3 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

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Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

23 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

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