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Jetstar is paring back some New Zealand services due to rising costs as jet fuel prices continue to spike from the Middle East conflict.
Around 12 per cent of trans-Tasman Jetstar flights for May, including services from Auckland to Sydney and Brisbane, as well as domestic Jetstar NZ flights on routes such as Auckland–Christchurch and Auckland–Wellington, have been impacted by the changes.
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Some adjustments are also being made to optimise fleet and engineering requirements, Australian Aviation understands. The airline says it is adjusting flights on select routes with multiple daily services so customers can fly as close as possible to their original departure times.
“We have made some temporary changes to our schedule, including due to a rise in jet fuel prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East and other rising costs,” a Jetstar spokesperson said.
“All impacted passengers have been contacted directly, and most have been offered same-day travel. We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their understanding.”
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have increased airfares due to higher fuel costs after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which sees around 20 per cent of global oil traffic, while Air New Zealand has been forced to cut flights.
In a memo to staff seen by The Australian, Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the Flying Kangaroo has “not had to cancel a single flight due to fuel supply concerns”, despite other carriers such as United Airlines and Air New Zealand being forced to cut services.
“We have increased fares in response to the increased operating costs and will continue to look at ways to further mitigate those cost increases,” she wrote.
“I know right across the business everyone remains particularly focused on costs including our pilots, who continue to have an ongoing focus on managing fuel efficiency.”
Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday, Transport Minister Catherine King warned major airlines that the crisis should not be used as an excuse to price-gouge.
“The ACCC is already monitoring airfares, and the airlines are on notice. This isn’t an opportunity to make a commercial gain out of this,” she said.
“We understand that fuel costs have gone up and some of that will be passed on in ticket prices, but you’ve got to justify that, and the ACCC is watching that very carefully.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Sunday that Australia currently has around 30 days of jet fuel, 30 days of diesel, and 38 days of petrol.
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