Fed: ACCC asks Qantas and Ansett to explain changes

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2001
Fed: ACCC asks Qantas and Ansett to explain changes

By Linda McSweeny

CANBERRA, Aug 24 AAP - Qantas and Ansett have come under competition watchdog scrutiny
over changes the airlines made on free travel for children on domestic flights.

Changes recently introduced by the carriers mean the threshold for free travel for
youngsters has been dropped from three to two year olds.

The airlines made the changes at similar times, prompting the Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to question the timing of the announcements.

Qantas announced the changes in June and delayed its implementation until after the
July school holidays, while Ansett made the change in June.

Children under the age of two travel free if they don't occupy a seat but those aged
two and up now have to pay a fare, discounted.

Until now, children did not have to pay a fare until they turned three, as is required
for travel on international flights.

The ACCC has written to both airlines seeking an explanation as to the timing of the
announcement.

"I understand it was, if not coincidental, very close to each other and we are interested
in aspects of it," the ACCC spokeswoman said.

Qantas said its decision was made independently of any other airline.

"We made this decision completely independent of any other airline," a Qantas spokeswoman said.

The changes were not implemented until after the July school holidays.

Ansett advised travel agents of the change in June.

But parents of young children say they were not told of changes and only learned of
the changes when they went to book flights.

Christopher Zinn, a reporter for the Nine Network, has a two-year-old son, Sacha, and
said the airlines quietly made the change.

He said while he was a frequent flyer, many families could not afford the changes,
introduced without their knowledge.

"They talk a lot about having relationships with customers," Mr Zinn said.

"I fly a lot and the day before I shot the story (for the Today Show) I received my
gold frequent flyer membership. They did not make any effort to inform me of the changes.

"They have completely abused that relationship."

Sydney mother Catherine Cresswell said the changes discriminated against families who
travelled on domestic routes to see family and were introduced in a sneaky way.

Virgin Blue, which has not changed its conditions for travelling youngsters, would
be her airline of choice rather than Ansett, she said.

"In my view it really discriminates against families who want to travel," Ms Cresswell said.

"A lot of people want to travel to see family and this is an extra cost.

"Fortunately, I can fly Virgin up to Coolangatta, where my family lives."

AAP lm/daw/cd/br

KEYWORD: AIRLINES ACCC NIGHTLEAD

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