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What did Virgin start with when they opened for business in Australia.

As you say, not very much, - and just $10m I believe.

Until relatively recently Virgin was more Australian than Qantas, with a higher Australian shareholder base than QAN. Qantas would be well served to emulate Virgin rather than whinge like a spoiled child.

Virgin has enabled millions of Australians to fly who could never fly under the old regime pre Virgin. Virgin should be encouraged, not vilified. That Qantas is even getting a hearing from the government must be sending a 'Australia closed for business' message to foreign interests.

Qantas needs to to thin down, cut costs, and compete. It still thinks its a bloated government-owned company.

And I could tell some horrific stories about what Qantas does to its competitors on regional routes. Level playing field? Ha! What a joke. They are ruthless in the extreme. You want to fly to Tamworth from Sydney this morning ? No competition, Qantas only, that will be $507 one way thank you very much.

If you want to fly to Wagga instead, (3 airlines) that will be $199.

Source 'flight au' iphone app.