Airlines price gouging travelling Victorian footy fans (News Corp)

[one-eyed]

Victorian AFL fans surprised by airline price gouging

PerthNow
27 Aug 2019

Melbourne-based AFL fans are finally getting a taste of what it’s like to support a non-Victorian team in September.

In an apparent revelation to Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Richmond supporters, flight prices have been increased next week ahead of their trips to face non-Victorian teams in the opening round of finals.

Geelong’s qualifying final against Collingwood at the MCG is the only final scheduled in Melbourne next week, and even that is giving Cats fans reason to complain, believing it should be played at GMHBA Stadium.

As West Coast and Fremantle supporters have done for years, Victorian fans are sharing their disappointment on social media after realising that supporting your team in September comes at a cost.

Melbourne teams have been forced to travel interstate in just seven of the past 27 finals matches.

A Virgin economy one way flight from Melbourne to Brisbane on Saturday, September 7 was yesterday priced at $1110, the Herald Sun reported. Tickets were being offered for the same service on Saturday for $195.

“It feels like the airlines lick their lips each year come finals time and the prices go through the roof,’’ AFL Fans’ Association president Gerry Eeman said.

“Fans find it disappointing and some of the prices are outrageous.”

Airline Virgin said it aimed to “provide the best value” and did not rule out adding more flights to accommodate footy fans.

“We already have 75,000 seats to Melbourne for the Grand Final week to make sure as many AFL fans as possible can cheer on their team,” a Virgin spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.

“We’ll continue to review our flight schedule throughout the Finals series.”

Prices spiked for flights from Perth to Melbourne halfway through last year’s preliminary final between West Coast and Melbourne once it became clear the Eagles would win through to the premiership decider.

Virgin was selling tickets during Grand Final week for up more than $2000 before the match was over, a week after Demons fans were gouged for their trip to Perth.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/victorian-afl-fans-surprised-by-airline-price-gouging-ng-b881304540z

[Andyy]

That should go to the ombudsman seriously. That's bloody criminal...

[taztiger4]

That should go to the ombudsman seriously. That's bloody criminal...

Ombudsman, should be ACCC

[WilliamPowell]

The ACCC, the biggest "toothless tiger" we have

Absolutely useless

[DCrane]

It's a supply and demand thing. As they say the value of something is what people are prepared to pay for it. If you start your holiday on a Tuesday it is cheaper on nearly every airline both domestic and international, but if you want to leave on a Fri/Sat it costs extra, because most people want that, and will pay the premium. Attending finals is not a right neither is catching a plane. You can still take the bus or drive up there if you are looking for cheaper options. Not sure that it is a burning consumer issue, the ACCC should be looking at more important things that footy finals flights.

[Damo]

Agree 100%

[Hard Roar Tiger]

The ACCC, the biggest "toothless tiger" we have

Absolutely useless

The problem with the ACCC is that their motives are almost always political - they are more hungry for media publicity than someone from MAFS

[Dougeytherichmondfan]

Most of the gouging is actually done by 3rd party sellers.

Airlines themselves are pretty strapped for availability of extra planes in situations like this. It's neigh on impossible to schedule extra flights within a 2 week window.