Data released by Tourism Research Australia on 14 July show Indian visitor arrivals falling 11 % year-on-year in June, the steepest drop since November 2024. Analysts blame prolonged aircraft shortages that forced Qantas and Air India to cut frequencies, pushing average return fares above AUD 1,800. The Indian Sun reports that family-and-friends travel—which makes up over a third of the market—was most affected, with many passengers opting to postpone trips until after August when additional leased aircraft join fleets. Education agents are now exploring charter options to move cohorts of students before Australian semester start-dates in late July. For employers seconding Indian talent to Australia under the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, higher fares and reduced seat inventory could raise relocation costs by as much as 25 %. Travel managers should monitor fare trends closely and consider routing through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, where connections remain more stable. Tourism bodies in both countries are pressing Canberra to expedite bilateral air-services-agreement talks that would let Indian carriers mount more flights, cushioning future supply shocks.
Source: The Indian Sun
