In response, ART is calling on government to organise a targeted national response, including the safeguarding of essential aviation access.
The industry body also wants new measures put in place to maintain confidence in domestic regional travel, a move it said would ensure Aussie travellers continue to visit and support regional communities.
“Demand is weakening in regions more than two hours from capital cities, with bookings down by up to 40% in some areas,” ART chief executive officer Lauren Douglass said.
“In some regions, forward bookings from May onwards are now almost non-existent.”
The comments follow Qantas temporarily suspending four domestic routes this week in an attempt to mitigate $800m in extra fuel costs.
However, it’s not only rural areas feeling the pinch of the oil crisis, with Qantas today confirming the suspension of its Saturday Sydney to Launceston service between 18 May and 14 June.
VA has not pulled any services, but has left the door open to review service pauses.
