Manila Bulletin
April 27, 2012
Sydney. Australian flag carrier Qantas is still considering Singapore as the base for a premium carrier in Asia, chief executive Alan Joyce said in a report published Monday.
Qantas’ Asian plans, which it sees as key to its strategy of revitalizing its loss-making international business, were dealt a blow when talks with Malaysian Airlines over the premium joint-venture collapsed last month.
Talks with Singapore on the issue had also lapsed but Joyce told The Australian newspaper that the airline was still looking at a range of options for a premium Asian airline, including the city state.
“This will take a bit longer than we originally thought, but we’re still keen to set up a premium airline in Asia and we’re still looking at a range of options available to us -- and Singapore is one of them,” Joyce said.
He added that Qantas was still talking to the Singapore government on the idea.
“We work with them on a range of issues and one of them is keeping the door open to the possibility of a premium airline,” Joyce told the newspaper.
Qantas holds a 65 percent share of the domestic Australian market but has struggled with an under-performing international business.
It is attempting to refocus on Asia, the world’s fast-growing aviation market, and last month announced a new Hong Kong-based budget airline, Jetstar Hong Kong, which it hopes will be in the air in 2013.
But Joyce said that for long-term success Qantas, which has a weak market share in Asia, needed to participate in the premium end of the regional market.
Showing posts with label australia airways. Show all posts
Showing posts with label australia airways. Show all posts
Friday, April 27, 2012
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Australia posts its busiest year in aviation ever in 2010
Manila Bulletin
June 5, 2011
SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia experienced its busiest ever year in domestic aviation in 2010, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said as he again warned that pressures on Sydney airport were rising.
Speaking at an industry function, the minister said domestic flights had risen 7% on 2009 while international passenger numbers rose to a record 26.8 million travelers – an increase of close to 10%.
"Domestically, the skies over Australia last year were the busiest they've ever been with just short of 54 million passengers taking almost 600,000 flights," Albanese said.
"Every way you look at it, 2010 was a record breaker for passenger kilometers traveled, for seat capacity and the number of aircraft trips."
Albanese said the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics figures compared favorably with data from the rest of the developed world, thanks in part to Canberra's financial crisis stimulus package.
"The popularity of air travel among Australians during the worst downturn since the Great Depression is testament to the resilience of our aviation industry," he added.
The minister said the aviation sector was, however, facing challenges presented by unprecedented globalization, fluctuating fuel prices and the damaging impact of the strong Australian dollar on inbound tourism.
Albanese said Sydney airport – which handles about 40% of all international flights and sees about 130 million passengers flow through it each year – was under increasing pressure.
The Australian government is working with the New South Wales state administration to identify a location for a second airport in the city.
Albanese said Sydney's passenger numbers were expected to double over the next 20 years.
"Something has got to give, or the Australian economy will suffer," he said.
"Business will go elsewhere if they can't get into Sydney. Tourists will choose other destinations. We will see lost productivity as delays build and demand cannot be met."
June 5, 2011
SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia experienced its busiest ever year in domestic aviation in 2010, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said as he again warned that pressures on Sydney airport were rising.
Speaking at an industry function, the minister said domestic flights had risen 7% on 2009 while international passenger numbers rose to a record 26.8 million travelers – an increase of close to 10%.
"Domestically, the skies over Australia last year were the busiest they've ever been with just short of 54 million passengers taking almost 600,000 flights," Albanese said.
"Every way you look at it, 2010 was a record breaker for passenger kilometers traveled, for seat capacity and the number of aircraft trips."
Albanese said the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics figures compared favorably with data from the rest of the developed world, thanks in part to Canberra's financial crisis stimulus package.
"The popularity of air travel among Australians during the worst downturn since the Great Depression is testament to the resilience of our aviation industry," he added.
The minister said the aviation sector was, however, facing challenges presented by unprecedented globalization, fluctuating fuel prices and the damaging impact of the strong Australian dollar on inbound tourism.
Albanese said Sydney airport – which handles about 40% of all international flights and sees about 130 million passengers flow through it each year – was under increasing pressure.
The Australian government is working with the New South Wales state administration to identify a location for a second airport in the city.
Albanese said Sydney's passenger numbers were expected to double over the next 20 years.
"Something has got to give, or the Australian economy will suffer," he said.
"Business will go elsewhere if they can't get into Sydney. Tourists will choose other destinations. We will see lost productivity as delays build and demand cannot be met."
Monday, May 30, 2011
Demands putting Qantas at risk
Manila Bulletin
May 30, 2011
SYDNEY (AFP) – A damaging industrial row between Australian airline Qantas and its pilots could threaten the future of the carrier, chief executive Alan Joyce said.
International pilots on the ''Flying Kangaroo'' are poised to take their first strike action in 45 years after negotiations on pay and conditions with management broke down last week.
Joyce told ABC television he would not be giving in to all demands from the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) which Qantas estimates would cost more than Aus$300 million (US$320 million).
''We believe that some of the demands that are being put on the table are outrageous,'' Joyce said late Thursday, adding that they could result in job losses within the company if implemented.
''There are certain demands I cannot concede to because it will endanger the survival of the company into the long run.''
Asked whether the airline's future was at risk due to the union action, Joyce replied: ''It is at that stage. Our international business is losing money. Our international business, if these demands are met, will go backwards even further.''
Joyce said the union's threat of industrial action could also potentially damage the Qantas brand.
''Unfortunately, this is the way some of these rogue union leaders think,'' he said. ''It's not good for their members, it's not good for employees, it's not good for our customers and we're going to have to stand up to them.''
The AIPA disputes Qantas' estimate of the cost of the claim, putting the figure at Aus$91 million. It says it's main concern is job security and that pilot jobs are not moved offshore to cheaper hubs in Asia.
May 30, 2011
SYDNEY (AFP) – A damaging industrial row between Australian airline Qantas and its pilots could threaten the future of the carrier, chief executive Alan Joyce said.
International pilots on the ''Flying Kangaroo'' are poised to take their first strike action in 45 years after negotiations on pay and conditions with management broke down last week.
Joyce told ABC television he would not be giving in to all demands from the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) which Qantas estimates would cost more than Aus$300 million (US$320 million).
''We believe that some of the demands that are being put on the table are outrageous,'' Joyce said late Thursday, adding that they could result in job losses within the company if implemented.
''There are certain demands I cannot concede to because it will endanger the survival of the company into the long run.''
Asked whether the airline's future was at risk due to the union action, Joyce replied: ''It is at that stage. Our international business is losing money. Our international business, if these demands are met, will go backwards even further.''
Joyce said the union's threat of industrial action could also potentially damage the Qantas brand.
''Unfortunately, this is the way some of these rogue union leaders think,'' he said. ''It's not good for their members, it's not good for employees, it's not good for our customers and we're going to have to stand up to them.''
The AIPA disputes Qantas' estimate of the cost of the claim, putting the figure at Aus$91 million. It says it's main concern is job security and that pilot jobs are not moved offshore to cheaper hubs in Asia.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Virgin rebrands Australia, Pacific operations
Manila Bulletin
May 5, 2011
SYDNEY, May 4 (AFP) – Sir Richard Branson Wednesday announced Virgin's airline operations in Australia and the Pacific were being rebranded as it attempts to grab more market share from Qantas.
Domestic carrier Virgin Blue and its international offshoots, Pacific Blue and V Australia, will all be known as Virgin Australia, with negotiations under way to bring Polynesia Blue under the same umbrella.
British entrepreneur and part owner Branson, who launched the new airline in Sydney with chief executive John Borghetti, said the move would allow Virgin to build one strong brand recognized globally.
As well as changing the name, Virgin has also dropped the bright red body paint from its aircraft in favor of a more conservative white.
Branson said the Virgin Australia brand represented a new chapter for the airline, which first started flying in Australia 11 years ago.
''I'm absolutely thrilled with the new look and feel of Virgin Australia's domestic product and I know it will shake up the Australian travel market on a larger scale than it did 10 years ago,'' he said.
Borghetti added that the brand consolidation was a pivotal point in the airline's history.
''Virgin Australia will be the airline of choice for all market segments,'' he said.
''We will do this by bringing the magic back to flying – providing a seamless experience, with excellent service that can be tailored to the individual.
''In re-positioning the airline we have kept all the great attributes for which Virgin Blue is renowned – the 'can-do' attitude, the competitive pricing and the genuine friendly service.''
Virgin Australia will operate domestically in Australia as of Wednesday, with V Australia and Pacific Blue operating under the name by year end.
Analysts said the move was part of a strategy to move Virgin, Australia's second-largest carrier, away from low-cost carriers such as Jetstar and Tiger Airways and towards Qantas in the full-service market.
May 5, 2011
SYDNEY, May 4 (AFP) – Sir Richard Branson Wednesday announced Virgin's airline operations in Australia and the Pacific were being rebranded as it attempts to grab more market share from Qantas.
Domestic carrier Virgin Blue and its international offshoots, Pacific Blue and V Australia, will all be known as Virgin Australia, with negotiations under way to bring Polynesia Blue under the same umbrella.
British entrepreneur and part owner Branson, who launched the new airline in Sydney with chief executive John Borghetti, said the move would allow Virgin to build one strong brand recognized globally.
As well as changing the name, Virgin has also dropped the bright red body paint from its aircraft in favor of a more conservative white.
Branson said the Virgin Australia brand represented a new chapter for the airline, which first started flying in Australia 11 years ago.
''I'm absolutely thrilled with the new look and feel of Virgin Australia's domestic product and I know it will shake up the Australian travel market on a larger scale than it did 10 years ago,'' he said.
Borghetti added that the brand consolidation was a pivotal point in the airline's history.
''Virgin Australia will be the airline of choice for all market segments,'' he said.
''We will do this by bringing the magic back to flying – providing a seamless experience, with excellent service that can be tailored to the individual.
''In re-positioning the airline we have kept all the great attributes for which Virgin Blue is renowned – the 'can-do' attitude, the competitive pricing and the genuine friendly service.''
Virgin Australia will operate domestically in Australia as of Wednesday, with V Australia and Pacific Blue operating under the name by year end.
Analysts said the move was part of a strategy to move Virgin, Australia's second-largest carrier, away from low-cost carriers such as Jetstar and Tiger Airways and towards Qantas in the full-service market.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Australia threatens Tiger's license to fly
April 26, 2011, 4:46pm
Manila Bulletin
SYDNEY, April 26 (AFP) – Australia's air safety regulator has issued a warning to Tiger Airways Australia, the budget carrier said, with reports linking it to flight training and maintenance concerns.
Tiger, whose parent company is Singaporean, said the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) had served it a ''show cause'' notice last month threatening to vary, suspend or cancel its licence.
Reportedly related to training and monitoring of pilots and maintenance, it is the first such notice to be issued to a major Australian airline since 2001, when CASA threatened to ground the now-defunct Ansett Airways over jet safety.
A Tiger spokeswoman stressed that there were no serious safety concerns but declined to comment on the details.
''CASA asked Tiger to clarify certain matters, which Tiger has responded to promptly and in full,'' the spokeswoman said.
''Basically what they've done is they've asked for a few corrective measures – those were implemented,' she added.
''If CASA had any concerns they would certainly shut us down. That hasn't occurred. We continue to operate with CASA's approval.''
Regulators were now believed to be considering Tiger's response to the notice.
CASA told AFP it was not ''saying anything really except that we don't comment on show cause notices.''
It came as Tiger cancelled several services in Australia, stranding hundreds of passengers ahead of a five-day break to mark Easter and a war veteran's holiday -- traditionally one of the busiest times for airlines.
Tiger said the cancellations were not due to the show cause notice but related to ''operational issues''.
Passengers would receive a full refund, credit to fly at another time or could be transferred to another Tiger flight of their choice, the spokeswoman said.
Tiger Airways Australia is a subsidiary of Singapore-based Tiger Airways Holdings, which is part-owned by Singapore Airlines. It has been flying in Australia since 2007 and last month celebrated its seven-millionth passenger with a $1 fare sale across 19 domestic routes.
It describes itself as Australia's ''only true low-fare airline'' and has reportedly driven down domestic ticket prices by 30 percent since entering the market.
Manila Bulletin
SYDNEY, April 26 (AFP) – Australia's air safety regulator has issued a warning to Tiger Airways Australia, the budget carrier said, with reports linking it to flight training and maintenance concerns.
Tiger, whose parent company is Singaporean, said the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) had served it a ''show cause'' notice last month threatening to vary, suspend or cancel its licence.
Reportedly related to training and monitoring of pilots and maintenance, it is the first such notice to be issued to a major Australian airline since 2001, when CASA threatened to ground the now-defunct Ansett Airways over jet safety.
A Tiger spokeswoman stressed that there were no serious safety concerns but declined to comment on the details.
''CASA asked Tiger to clarify certain matters, which Tiger has responded to promptly and in full,'' the spokeswoman said.
''Basically what they've done is they've asked for a few corrective measures – those were implemented,' she added.
''If CASA had any concerns they would certainly shut us down. That hasn't occurred. We continue to operate with CASA's approval.''
Regulators were now believed to be considering Tiger's response to the notice.
CASA told AFP it was not ''saying anything really except that we don't comment on show cause notices.''
It came as Tiger cancelled several services in Australia, stranding hundreds of passengers ahead of a five-day break to mark Easter and a war veteran's holiday -- traditionally one of the busiest times for airlines.
Tiger said the cancellations were not due to the show cause notice but related to ''operational issues''.
Passengers would receive a full refund, credit to fly at another time or could be transferred to another Tiger flight of their choice, the spokeswoman said.
Tiger Airways Australia is a subsidiary of Singapore-based Tiger Airways Holdings, which is part-owned by Singapore Airlines. It has been flying in Australia since 2007 and last month celebrated its seven-millionth passenger with a $1 fare sale across 19 domestic routes.
It describes itself as Australia's ''only true low-fare airline'' and has reportedly driven down domestic ticket prices by 30 percent since entering the market.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Qantas hikes fuel surcharges, says oil price a major threat
By NARAYANAN SOMASUNDARAM and BALAZS KORANYI
April 19, 2011, 3:16pm
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) – Australia's Qantas Airways on Tuesday announced hefty increases in fuel surcharges on international routes in response to surging fuel prices, adding A$100 ($105) to the cost of one-way fares from Australia to Europe and North America.
The increases, the third such move in calendar 2011, were accompanied by fare rises and higher fuel surcharges on domestic routes and followed recently announced plans to scale back some flights and cut management jobs.
''The cost of jet fuel at the moment is the single biggest threat to our business since the global financial crisis,'' Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce told a business lunch after announcing the surcharge and fuel hikes in a statement.
Qantas is not only struggling with rising jet fuel prices; its business has also been disrupted by natural disasters in key markets this year, including the Japan earthquake and tsunami, floods in Australia and an earthquake in New Zealand.
Qantas shares traded 0.5 percent lower at A$2.11 in mid-afternoon trade, outperforming a 1.3 percent fall for the broader market.
Joyce said Qantas would spend A$3.7 billion on fuel in 2010/11 (July/June), noting that additional fuel costs would not be recovered by the airline even after surcharges, hedging and fare hikes.
''If these (fuel) prices are sustained, next year's fuel bill will be hundreds of millions of dollars more,'' he said.
Qantas said its fuel bill for the second half of 2010/11 alone would be A$2 billion.
The airline has also estimated that the recent disasters will hurt its earnings by A$140 million.
Many carriers have been steadily raising fares this year as $100-a-barrel oil threatens profits just as airlines are recovering from the global credit crisis.
April 19, 2011, 3:16pm
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) – Australia's Qantas Airways on Tuesday announced hefty increases in fuel surcharges on international routes in response to surging fuel prices, adding A$100 ($105) to the cost of one-way fares from Australia to Europe and North America.
The increases, the third such move in calendar 2011, were accompanied by fare rises and higher fuel surcharges on domestic routes and followed recently announced plans to scale back some flights and cut management jobs.
''The cost of jet fuel at the moment is the single biggest threat to our business since the global financial crisis,'' Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce told a business lunch after announcing the surcharge and fuel hikes in a statement.
Qantas is not only struggling with rising jet fuel prices; its business has also been disrupted by natural disasters in key markets this year, including the Japan earthquake and tsunami, floods in Australia and an earthquake in New Zealand.
Qantas shares traded 0.5 percent lower at A$2.11 in mid-afternoon trade, outperforming a 1.3 percent fall for the broader market.
Joyce said Qantas would spend A$3.7 billion on fuel in 2010/11 (July/June), noting that additional fuel costs would not be recovered by the airline even after surcharges, hedging and fare hikes.
''If these (fuel) prices are sustained, next year's fuel bill will be hundreds of millions of dollars more,'' he said.
Qantas said its fuel bill for the second half of 2010/11 alone would be A$2 billion.
The airline has also estimated that the recent disasters will hurt its earnings by A$140 million.
Many carriers have been steadily raising fares this year as $100-a-barrel oil threatens profits just as airlines are recovering from the global credit crisis.
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