Suddenly the world of cheap airfares is beckoning you to take a holiday. Falling passenger numbers and swathes of empty seats have forced some carriers to make drastic cuts and as a result the cost of flights has been slashed to keep people flying.

Even business travel has been affected. Emirates recently wiped $3500 from return tickets from Melbourne to the Middle East and Europe to $5999 plus taxes.

Best overseas offerings:

New Zealand – Virgin Blue has offered flights to both North and South Islands for as low as $344 for a return ticket. The Blue Saver ticket will allow you to take up to 20kg baggage but remember that food and in-flight entertainment costs extra.

Air New Zealand, Qantas and Emirates will offer flights for only about $70 more but with food and entertainment inclusive.

Malaysia – AirAsia X has made for incredibly cheap fares to London, but for those keen to holiday somewhere closer to home, flights to Kuala Lumpur open up numerous opportunities in Asia for incredibly low rates. And best of all, flying within Malaysia is outrageously cheap. Flights to Cambodia or Laos cost less than $40.

Bali – get some beach time in this winter with a bargain from JetStar or Virgin Blue. The offer one-way fare sales to Bali for under $300. Be aware these fares don’t include checked baggage, so bags will cost another $20 each way.