Airfares to stay grounded
Joyce says extra security won’t hit fares
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce (right) has suggested airfares won’t rise if extra security measures are introduced at Australian airports to foil potential terror attacks. “Despite extra security after 9/11 ... (airfares) haven’t risen in the last 17 years and I don’t see them rising in the next 10,” he said.
THE head of Qantas has suggested airfares won’t rise if extra security measures are introduced at Australian airports to foil potential terror attacks.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce supports additional measures to improve safety and security and says he doesn’t think passengers will be slugged with more expensive airfares as a result.
“Despite extra security after 9/11 ... (airfares) haven’t risen in the last 17 years and I don’t see them rising in the next 10,” Mr Joyce told reporters at a brief- ing in Sydney yesterday.
Mr Joyce says Qantas will implement any recommended security changes in an efficient way so customers’ hip pockets won’t be hurt.
Police are reportedly to be given the power to demand identification from anyone at a major domestic airport – even those not boarding a plane.
The plan could stop suspect passengers from flying and allow police to order members of the public to leave airports, News Corp reported.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan would not comment on potential changes but said the government’s top priority was to keep Australians safe.
“The coalition government has initiated an independent review of security at airports across Australia,” Mr Keenan’s spokeswoman said in a statement.
“If we can do more to ensure the safety of Australians then, of course, we will take all necessary action.”
The latest push comes after increased security measures, including stricter screenings, were implemented across Australia after authorities three weeks ago revealed an alleged terror plot to bring down a plane bound for Abu Dhabi from Sydney.
Airlines and airports have a shared responsibility to ensure there are enough resources to implement security upgrades, Mr Joyce said.
“It’s a shared responsibility across airlines and airports, and we have to make sure we have the resources to make sure the travelling experience is still very good, and the security experience is what the government and professionals tell us to implement,” he said.
Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten says Australians should not be inconvenienced at airports due to higher security standards.
“We need to make sure this (extra security measures) is backed up by adequate resources so we don’t unnecessarily inconvenience a few passengers for want of a few dollars,” the Labor leader told reporters in Sydney.