Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has asked Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to put extra flights on between north Queensland and Sydney for this weekend's NRL grand final, following complaints of exorbitant prices.
Mr Turnbull told Hit 103.1 Townsville on Thursday he was "concerned" about claims fares had skyrocketed since the Cowboys won their way into the decider.
"I've actually just put the phone down to Alan Joyce," he said.
Mr Turnbull said Mr Joyce told him Qantas had already put on some more flights for this Sunday's game, but encouraged him to go further.
"He's looking to do some more so I've encouraged him to do that," he said.
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Federal north Queensland MP Bob Katter wrote to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission this week warning the major airlines should not use events to flex market power.
Mr Katter accused airline management of being "un-Australian", particularly taking aim at Mr Joyce.
"Now while he is paying himself $25m a year, he's skinning the people in north Queensland, the most outrageous and un-Australian thing, he's stopping north Queenslanders from getting to the NRL grand final," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mr Katter said Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin flights from Townsville to Sydney were usually between $400 and $500 return but had jumped to more than $1000 this weekend.
A Qantas spokeswoman told AAP the company had scheduled four direct return flights between Townsville and Sydney so fans could see the Cowboys play on Sunday.
A one-way ticket originally started at $363, with return fares from $631.
The company also offers up to six daily flights to Brisbane, which can then connect to Sydney.
The Qantas spokeswoman said it had also put on extra flights for the AFL grand final that is being played on Saturday.
