Air Wars

Over the last number of months, it appears there has been a war brewing above our heads, as Australian airline operators work to recoup the substantial losses seen throughout the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hannah Dowling investigates 

As well all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated global demand for air travel, with estimates now suggesting international travel will not return to preCOVID levels until at least 2024. Australian operators, like many around the globe, continue to rely on government assistance to keep afloat, as they haemorrhage cash at unprecedented rates. 

Considering the fact that Australia’s border will likely remain closed until a vaccine or cure for the virus can be found, international travel from Australia is essentially dead in the water, for now. As such, it is not surprising that Australia-based airlines have, and will continue to, ramp up domestic and regional operations, as Australians look for adventure a lot closer to home. In a country so vast and so beautiful, it hardly comes as a surprise that you don’t in fact need to travel overseas in search of the perfect holiday; many won’t even need to leave their own state.