Airport strike threat could disrupt vacation travel plans

Airport firefighters and rescue workers are threatening to quit their jobs over the Christmas-New Year holidays amid an ongoing employment dispute.

They want a 15% wage increase over three years and improved safety conditions.

So far, the dispute has involved workers at airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, but it threatens to spread further.

It will be a disjointed year for airports as the travel industry reopens hampered by labor issues and a volatile market.

Travelers face long lines, lost luggage issues and surprise cancellations, especially during peak holiday periods such as Easter and school holidays.

Meanwhile, prices for international travel have skyrocketed compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The average return economy seat price jumped 33% to $1,817 from $1,362 in 2019.

The cheapest day to fly is Australia Day, with flights around $1,000, while the most expensive day is December 20, costing over $2,000.

According to data provided by KAYAK, the most searched return destinations are Melbourne to New Delhi, Sydney to Denpasar, Melbourne to Denpasar, Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney to Manila.