<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Aussie"><span>Aussie</span></a><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/airlines" rel="" target="_blank" title="airlines"><span>airlines</span></a><span> have been put on alert after the consumer watchdog warned them not to sell travellers short, as they admit airfares are set to surge.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With airspace closures in the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/middle-east" rel="" target="_blank" title="Middle East"><span>Middle East</span></a><span> decimating international travel and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/fuel" rel="" target="_blank" title="fuel"><span>fuel</span></a><span> costs skyrocketing, the shockwaves will soon spread to the domestic aviation industry.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Aussies with upcoming plans are already becoming spooked, with 25 per cent with a trip this year having delayed it, and 12 per cent cancelling altogether, according to data from Money.com.au.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-24-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/a6d7c67d-9a69-4279-88eb-985ccda7fb13" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Zombie ships' pass through Strait of Hormuz, Trump postpones strikes</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-shortage-how-much-does-australia-have-left-explained/f266e2d2-6b91-4166-8f7e-bb424620cc09" target="_blank"><strong><span>How much fuel does Australia have left?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ACCC said the ripple effects will soon be felt closer to home, and admitted some of the regular rules protecting travellers may not apply due to acts of war.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The consumer guarantees in the Australian Consumer </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/law" rel="" target="_blank" title="Law"><span>Law</span></a><span> are unlikely to apply if the airline delays or cancels a flight due to the actions of a third party, such as a government closing its airspace or implementing flight restrictions," a statement from the ACCC said today.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-crisis-australia-consumer-watchdog-monitoring-cost-domestic-flights-airfares-set-to-soar/1c463131-55ab-46d5-bc70-d09b5da33d26" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, airlines are being closely watched, with the ACCC set to crackdown on any airlines failing to properly reimburse impacted travellers or hiking up airfares too much.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While market conditions will ultimately determine the cost of flying, we are closely monitoring price movements, market behaviour and the airlines' representations to consumers," ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[We] will act if there is behaviour that contravenes competition and consumer laws."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Brakey said airlines usually carry more fuel than they need at any given time to protect themselves from short-term changes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>WORLD:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-york-laguardia-airport-air-canada-plane-collides-with-vehicle-on-runway/4f2be952-d811-4899-ab5f-bdf59fd6525f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Traffic controller's chilling admission minutes after deadly plane crash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the longer this continues, the greater the impact will be on travellers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If jet fuel prices remain elevated for a prolonged period, airline costs may increase and this could ultimately lead to higher domestic airfares," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She encouraged travellers with upcoming trips planned to regularly look for updates, and to speak to their airline if that trip is overseas.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have been encouraging consumers with an upcoming international flight to contact their airline to understand their options," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> 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