Australian airlines Qantas and Virgin are simultaneously offering flash sales with millions of discounted seats starting from $50-$99 while also cutting routes and warning of higher fares due to rising fuel costs driven by global tensions. The contradictory strategy reflects airlines attempting to secure forward bookings amid shifting consumer behaviour, with reduced business travel on key domestic routes and passengers avoiding Middle Eastern flight paths. Airlines are redirecting capacity to European routes through Asia and US destinations as travellers reconsider their booking choices.

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