Airlines accused of abandoning footy fans

Enraged federal MP Bob Katter insists airlines are taking advantage of rugby league supporters by "price gouging" flights to Sydney for the NRL grand final.

The avid North Queensland supporter is seeking a meeting with airlines to plead for fans who are being forced to pay more than three times the normal price for flights to get to Sydney for the club's first grand final in 10 years.

In what has become a nationwide problem on grand final weekend, the Cowboys have taken matters into their own hands, chartering their own flights for Sunday's decider against Brisbane.

West Coast supporters have also been forced to find inventive ways - including travelling via Bali - to make it to the AFL grand final against Hawthorn in Melbourne on Saturday.

In some cases, a flight from Perth to Auckland via Melbourne is cheaper than the fare just to the Victorian capital.

The cheapest return flights either side of the NRL grand final from Townsville to Sydney advertised on Tuesday were about $1400, but would normally cost between $400 to $600.

Mr Katter, whose federal electorate of Kennedy sits in Cowboys heartland, suggested flights should be cheaper than normal because they would be full.

"There is no justification for this," Mr Katter said.

"They have seen an opportunity to price gouge and they're taking advantage of it at the expense of people that have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their team play in a grand final."

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett backed Mr Katter, but said West Coast fans were even worse off.

"Good onya, Bob. If you think Queenslanders have got it tough, come to Perth and try booking a flight to the AFL grand final," Mr Barnett said.

Most flights between Perth and Melbourne remain more than $2000 return, while many Eagles fans are driving or bussing it across the Nullarbor.

WA Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the state government could not intervene in flight prices, but hoped airlines would not take advantage of WA football fans.

Virgin has also added 6500 seats on the Perth-Melbourne route, while Qantas will offer an extra service and Jetstar has an extra 2500 seats.

Meanwhile, a Qantas spokesman said an extra flight had been added to get Cowboys fans from Townsville to Sydney with fares starting at $290 one way.

"Unfortunately, all of the less expensive fares have sold out and because the final series falls within school holidays - our flights are busy," he said in a statement.

Qantas also added an extra flight to help get Broncos fans back to Brisbane on Monday.

The Cowboys have chartered a 128-seat plane to make two return trips from Townsville to Sydney, costing members $1190 for a return flight and ticket in the team's supporter section.