'Unethical': Australians trying to fly home claim airlines cancelling economy tickets to sell more first-class seats

Australians attempting to return home are complaining that international airlines are cancelling tickets of economy customers in order to offer more business and first-class seats, as operators look to boost profitability while complying with Australia’s strict passenger arrival caps. The accusations against several international airlines, which have been made since the caps were introduced and then tightened in July, have been denied by several operators. However the Guardian has heard several call centre staff admit to customers that despite being told their flights had been cancelled, they were still flying as scheduled, and could repurchase seats on the flight if they paid for a higher class airfare. At least one airline, Emirates, will only accept 19 economy seat bookings on flights from Dubai into Sydney, reserving more seats for business and first-class sections. The concerns over the cost of airfares for Australians comes after the new owners of Virgin Australia, Bain Capital, announced 3,000 of its 9,000 employees would lose their jobs, and its budget carrier, Tiger Air, would be discontinued, as the impact of Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on aviation. Story has full details.<br/>