Media Release
Webjet Slams Ticket Taxes
10th October 2001
Webjet today slammed the proliferation of taxes now included in airline tickets.
Commenting, Webjet's Managing Director, David Clarke, said, "In a domestic and international environment which is currently in turmoil, the continued endless imposition of taxes has reached absurd and unacceptable levels. On a typical Melbourne to Sydney return ticket with a price of $180 approximately, taxes now total over $40, or 25% of the value, and include an Ansett bail-out tax of $10, a Sydney noise tax of $3, an insurance surcharge of $14 and then a GST of $14."
"On an international journey the position is equally insane. For a Hong Kong return trip of $1,114, taxes total over $110 and that's without GST! "
"There are also "hidden" charges such as a security surcharge of $5!"
"The travel industry is no longer selling fares - it has become a tax collector for a myriad of authorities and is incurring unacceptable and non reimbursed costs for the privilege."
From Webjet's perspective, the situation needs urgent rationalisation and we call on the Federal Government to simplify the process and minimise the charges.