Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
High regional airfares make Australian touring difficult for bands
Managers of Arnhem Land bands say high airfares are forcing them to reject Australian shows.
Yothu Yindi and King Stingray have faced domestic travel costs that exceed the price of flights to some overseas gigs.
A Productivity Commission report found long regional and remote flights cost 67 per cent more on average than major-city routes.
Short regional flights cost 173 per cent more per kilometre, and the report also found competition in regional aviation was limited.
The costs make touring harder for established bands and can shut emerging artists out of the industry.
Managers say gigs are one of bands’ last reliable sources of income as streaming changes how musicians earn money.
Fewer airline services in Arnhem Land add to the challenge for artists based outside major cities.
Qantas says rising aviation costs are pushing up ticket prices, while advising travellers to book early to find lower fares.
High airfares are making it difficult for regional Australian bands to tour interstate, according to band managers.
Yothu Yindi has turned down Australian shows because flights from Arnhem Land are too costly.
King Stingray’s manager says flights to US shows cost less than domestic flights.
A Productivity Commission report found regional flights cost more on average than major city routes.
Qantas said aviation and fuel costs are pushing ticket prices higher, while some lower fares remain available.
- Who
- Regional Australian bands, including Yothu Yindi and King Stingray, and their managers.
- What
- High airfares are making interstate touring financially difficult and leading bands to turn down shows.
- When
- Managers said the problem is affecting bands now; the Productivity Commission report was released this week.
- Where
- Arnhem Land and other regional areas of Australia, on flights to interstate destinations.
- Why
- Managers cite high airfares and limited airline competition; Qantas also cited rising aviation and fuel costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Productivity Commission released an interim report showing a gap between regional and metropolitan airfares.
King Stingray turned down three or four shows because airfare costs made them financially unworkable.
- Gove to Brisbane return fare
- $5,200, according to Yothu Yindi manager Alan James.
- Long regional and remote flights
- 67 per cent more expensive on average than major city routes.
- Short regional flights
- 173 per cent more expensive per kilometre than major city routes.
- King Stingray shows declined
- Three or four in the past month or so.
- Northern Territory routes
- Some Darwin flights to Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra are served only by Qantas and Jetstar.
What people are saying
It's $5,200 return from Gove to Brisbane, it would be cheaper for us to go do a concert in London than it would be to do a concert in a capital city of Australia
If you're an emerging group, you've got no shot, you're out of the business
Aviation costs, including labour, airport charges and government air traffic control fees, are rising faster than the rate of inflation, while fuel costs also remain significantly higher
Great value fares can still be found on flights to and from the Northern Territory and we encourage customers to book ahead whenever possible to secure the best fare.