SYDNEY (BLOOMBERG) - Australia's government will subsidise 800,000 half-price domestic flights as part of a A$1.2 billion (S$1.25 billion) package to prop up the nation's ailing tourism industry. To run from April 1 to July 31, the 50 per cent discounted air fares are designed to help tourism-dependent regions and should support airlines, hotels and hospitality venues, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement on Thursday (March 11). The package also includes further support for the international aviation industry, and will expand a government-backed loan programme to small and medium-sized businesses. The subsidised tickets programme "means more jobs and investment for the tourism and aviation sectors as Australia heads towards winning our fight against Covid-19 and the restrictions that have hurt so many businesses," Mr Morrison said. Australia's domestic and international aviation industry has been badly damaged by the pandemic, even as the nation has managed to restrict the waves of infections that have roiled Europe and the US. While the government has provided billions in direct economic stimulus to help keep the economy afloat, it sees the need to deliver additional ...