Carry on: Australia's most expensive airport

Brisbane the most expensive Australian airport
Brisbane in the most expensive and Perth the cheapest for earlybrid fares to Europe from Australia. A Flight Centre survey based on return economy fares offered by Qantas, Etihad, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines shows they cost $A1635 from Brisbane compared with $A1596 from Perth, $A1607 from Melbourne and $A1618 from Sydney. Adelaide, which is geographically further from European destinations than Brisbane, is an average of $A9 cheaper a fare. Differences in the fares are largely due to the charges imposed on airlines by different airports for using their runways, terminals and other services.

Qantas doubles Darwin lounge
Qantas has opened its new Darwin Qantas Club, which as over 1500sq m is more than double the size of the previous lounge. It provides seating for more than 350 guests, a business centre with Apple iMac computers and a meeting room, new bathroom and shower facilities, a barista service and a dedicated family zone featuring kids work stations, toys, books and games. Other features include new furniture, wireless internet, newspapers, magazines, Foxtel and a full service bar and buffet offering. Darwin Airport is having a terminal overhaul is set to vastly improve the airport facilities for all customers, including other Qantas Group airlines provide 80% of the domestic traffic within the Northern territory and Jetstar has international services to Singapore and Bali. Earlier this week, Qantas said "G'Day Texas" with the first Airbus A380 doubledecker aircraft on the the Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth route, which means the world's largest airliner is also on the world's longest commercial flight.

Budget carriers look for offbeat Asia routes
Booming budget airlines in Asia are looking for offbeat destinations to balance their heavy dependence on highly contested routes. Vietnam's VietJet Air recently announced an agreement with a Vladivostok airport to start flights there in the hope of tapping Russian interest in Vietnam's pristine beaches. Singapore's SilkAir and Jetstar Asia are both exploring direct services to Okinawa, Japan from Singapore, initially through charter flights. Also, keep an eye on Bangkok, which has two international airports. Nok Air and AirAsia operate regional flights within and outside Thailand from Don Mueang Airport.

Expedia closer to Wotif.com takeover
Expedia is closer to taking control of its largest online travel rival, Wotif.com. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has approved the $A703 million deal. The New Zealand Commerce Commission has yet to do so – although it has raised no objections. The deal is endorsed by Wotif's board and its two founders, Graeme Wood and Andrew Brice, who together control almost 36% of Wotif's stock. Wotif shareholders will vote on October 9.