Allowing Qatar Airways to add flights to compete with Qantas would have reduced airfares, says competition watchdog

Allowing Qatar Airways to add more weekly flights at Australian airports would have made fares cheaper, the competition watchdog says, as pressure mounts on the government to reconsider its decision to block the airline. Key points: The competition watchdog will pursue more than $250 million in penalties over Qantas selling 'ghost flight' tickets The ACCC has also backed claims allowing Qatar to expand services would have reduced air fares The assistant treasurer has refused to answer whether the government's decision needs to be reviewed The government said it prevented Qatar from adding 21 weekly flights at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports in the "national interest", saying that national carrier Qantas must remain viable and reducing airfares could threaten it in the medium- and long-term. Former treasurer Wayne Swan, now Labor's national president, told Channel Nine in light of accusations that Qantas sold thousands of tickets for already-cancelled flights, the government's competition decision should be reviewed. Separately, Ms Cass-Gottlieb also confirmed the watchdog would pursue penalties of more than $250 million for Qantas selling tickets for ghost flights.