Flight Centre boss warns last minute travel could get tougher as Middle East war shrinks flight capacity

Flight Centre boss Graham Turner has warned travellers against last-minute spontaneity as armed conflict in the Middle East shrinks options and sends airfares north. Qantas advised on Tuesday it had been forced to temporarily halt domestic routes around Australia, including the Sydney to Busselton service, after the turmoil pushed jet fuel prices dramatically higher. The national carrier also cancelled some services, mainly on busy trunk routes between east coast cities as it seeks to improve its profitability with fuller planes. Mr Turner said it seemed like a logical move in the current climate. “What it will probably lead to is higher load factors on ongoing flights,” he told The West Australian. “It may become harder to find a seat, particularly at the last minute, so it will be in travellers’ best interests to plan ahead and book domestic flights as soon as possible. “We’re seeing that with international fares throughout Australia right now: without Middle Eastern capacity, seats are harder to find and it’s more expensive in the near-term. “If you think fuel is going to become more expensive, it’s also worth paying in full as soon as possible to lock in a deal ahead of any further increases.” Mr Turner, who founded the $2.35 billion group, said travel agents were having to be more creative to get their customers to destinations like Europe, dodging the Middle East. “The leader of one of our UK businesses is here in Australia now and is flying home from Brisbane to London via Perth and South Africa,” he said.