The first public hearings of a senate enquiry into the blocking of additional Qatar Airways flights into Australia will begin on Tuesday.Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie says the focus for the Sydney hearing on Tuesday will be on issues in Sydney Airport – as well as on “broader consumer concerns".
“We know the ACCC in their last report … made specific comments around soft hoarding by both Qantas and Virgin in and out of the Sydney Airport and the impact that was happening on prices and competition,” Ms McKenzie said. “The focus for the Sydney hearing will be on those issues in Sydney airport and also on the broader consumer concerns in both our tourism and travel industry and the customers that have been flooding the inquiry already with concerns about their frequent flyer points.”