When the CEO of Qantas remarks that "if you don't like the Qantas offering, you should choose to fly another carrier."
Mr Joyce, that strategy might have worked at your prior airline, "but times they are a changing".....
Well guess what Mr J. We might just do that.
September 24, 2015 10:00pm
Robyn Ironside National Aviation Writer News Corp Australia Network
COMPETITION is set to hot up among the Gulf carriers servicing Australia following a deal that is likely to see Qatar Airways add 21 flights a week out of major hubs here.
The Federal Government has announced the agreement with Qatar to increase capacity by up to 50 per cent.
Qatar Airways already flies out of Perth and Melbourne to Doha, but the new deal is expected to mean direct services out of Sydney, Brisbane and other airports as well.
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the extra flights would be a boost for the tourism industry, and cater for growth in the Australia-Qatar and Australia-Europe routes.“Under our air services arrangements with Qatar, airlines can also operate unlimited services between Qatar and regional locations such as Darwin, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Cairns,” said Mr Truss.
Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck said the Qatar deal would “strengthen aviation links with the region, and support the Government’s Tourism 2020 strategy by facilitating greater visitor numbers from the Gulf”.
But the deal is likely to put pressure on Qantas and partner Emirates who jointly fly thousands of Australians to Europe via Dubai, and the Virgin Australia-aligned Etihad which provides services through Abu Dhabi.
In the last three years, travellers from the United Arab Emirates to Australia increased 15.7 per cent, and Aussies visiting the UAE rose 16.2 per cent.
Emirates now carries 10.1 per cent of the international market in and out of Australia, second only to Qantas with 15.9 per cent.
In the last year, Etihad increased its market share from 2.3 per cent to 2.7 per cent while Qatar Airways carried 1.2 per cent of passengers.
In June this year, the Doha-based airline was named the world’s best carrier in the annual SkyTrax awards in recognition of the attention to detail from the front of the aircraft to the rear.
Its economy seats are lauded as among the roomiest and most comfortable in the world, and each passenger can access 2000 entertainment options on individual screens.
In Business and First Class, passengers enjoy meals designed by acclaimed chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Vineet Bhatia.
Aviation expert Neil Hansford said Qatar Airways had the money to provide a “seriously good service”.
“Qatar has 60 per cent of the world’s natural gas, it’s another cash box,” said Mr Hansford.
“But I don’t think Doha has anything like the tourist appeal of Dubai.”
He said Australian travellers would benefit most from the additional capacity and the extra competition Qatar Airways would provide.
“I’m surprised they’ve taken this long to come to Sydney,” he said.
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