Air Australia (From 17/2 suspended ops)

[anat0l]

From Virgin Facebook page-http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=362393937112800

Cheers
N'oz

Interesting clause "Guests will not be required to disclose any of their current Air Australia flight information to receive the special fares".

I think that means basically no red tape - just front up and buy. Of course, anyone could do this, but I suppose the chance of anyone "taking unfair advantage" of this "offer" would be minimal.


Do people flying VC get free bags? If they do, perhaps VA should've also done this, but that's just a suggestion. I guess JQ would similarly not offer free bags either...

 

[maninblack]

Well that was a very brief and silly tale. How does such an operation ever get regulatory approval? You have to laugh, otherwise you would cry.

 

[markis10]

Well that was a very brief and silly tale. How does such an operation ever get regulatory approval? You have to laugh, otherwise you would cry.

Very brief - they were around since 2008, having taken over the Ozjet AOC!

 

[maninblack]

Very brief - they were around since 2008, having taken over the Ozjet AOC!

And the Air Australia re-branding even more brief.

It seems MEL is destined not to have an HNL direct service. Since CO pulled out many years ago we nearly had an AC service but events intervened in 2001 then JQ, but that was short lived and now this fiasco.

 

[psi999]

Two outstanding offers on the table for stranded passengers:

4pm Jetstar said passengers who have already commenced their journey with Air Australia will be able to buy a ticket with Jetstar for the same price, until February 29, 2012, regardless of the return date. Meanwhile passengers who haven't yet started their trip can access special fares for travel until March 31, 2012.

3.25pm AirAsia X has announced it will waive the base seat fare on the Kuala Lumpur to Australia route to rescue the stranded. Passengers flying to the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth will only pay taxes and charges starting from $56, the airline said. Baggage will also be free for each passenger up to 20kg per person.

Well done to AAX, didnt expect to see any assistance coming from that direction.... especially such a generous offer.
​

 

[harvyk]

Well that was a very brief and silly tale. How does such an operation ever get regulatory approval? You have to laugh, otherwise you would cry.

By taking over another airlines AOC, and then making sure that the required paperwork was lodge in on time...
I don't believe there is any real legal requirement for an airline to be profitable, just that it completes the minimum legal requirements in terms of maintenance and paperwork (and can pay it's debts \ stop incurring new ones if it can't).

Of course doing a complete re-branding of a company that is running out of money is never considered a wise move, unless it is handled very well, there is always a risk you'll lose customers in some cases because they simply can't find you, or don't associate your new name \ logo with your old companies product.

I'd say the fact that they couldn't see out 3 whole months as Air Australia this story is probably going to give business school teachers years worth of examples of what not to do.

I expect that there may be some sort of investigating over if Air Australia was operating whilst insolvent, just given the big plans they had which where still to be started.

 

[yohy?!]

Interesting clause "Guests will not be required to disclose any of their current Air Australia flight information to receive the special fares".

I think that means basically no red tape - just front up and buy. Of course, anyone could do this, but I suppose the chance of anyone "taking unfair advantage" of this "offer" would be minimal.


Do people flying VC get free bags? If they do, perhaps VA should've also done this, but that's just a suggestion. I guess JQ would similarly not offer free bags either...

No free bags and the $199 fares DPS-SYD are just showing up on the normal VA search

 

[elbarto]

According to KordaMentha the airline is up for sale - perhaps this is an opportunity for VA to get their hands on some fire-sale cheap A330s? Also the unused traffic rights into China might snare someone's interest also...

Or for AJ to buy it for next to nix and then use it to 'rebuild' QFi with an un-unionised, low cost-base business.

Mavrick is being a Goose. Those sorts of rescue missions would only be attempted if the airline was Air America - not Air Australia. We'll be sending Capts Bruce & Bruce.

You mean Baz & Bazza with his wife Shaz serving the drinks down the back.

 

[pagingjoan]

What happened to Geoffrey E.?

 

[yohy?!]

What happened to Geoffrey E.?

Read somewhere his criminal past would preclude him from being appointed to the board

 

[pagingjoan]

Read somewhere his criminal past would preclude him from being appointed to the board

I've no doubt that would be the case - but probably would not prevent him "buying" it?

 

[ric_melb]

There has been quite a lot of discussion on Melbourne ABC regarding foreign cabin crew being used by Air Australia. Both Turkish and Thai crew, some of whom are stranded now in Melbourne. It seems 2000 tickets were sold on Scoopon for $600 each, return economy Melbourne/coughet. Another caller said they bought 2 business class tickets to Honolulu for $4,500, and could take 3 children free with them in business seats. Five seats for $900 each doesn't make sense.
Certainly feel sorry for crew and passengers. But also am of the opinion this was an airline heading for administration/liquidation.

 

[straitman]

There has been quite a lot of discussion on Melbourne ABC regarding foreign cabin crew being used by Air Australia. Both Turkish and Thai crew, some of whom are stranded now in Melbourne. It seems 2000 tickets were sold on Scoopon for $600 each, return economy Melbourne/coughet. Another caller said they bought 2 business class tickets to Honolulu for $4,500, and could take 3 children free with them in business seats. Five seats for $900 each doesn't make sense.
Certainly feel sorry for crew and passengers. But also am of the opinion this was an airline heading for administration/liquidation.

Scoopon refunds when an operator/supplier goes bust.

 

[GladstoneTim]

I hope those posters earlier heralding the "national carrier's" generosity realize QF isn't offering free flights to those stranded and in all likelihood is just using unutilised capacity for some $$$ so a win-win for all. Interesting approach to match originally paid fare.

 

[maninblack]

From Hawaii. Apparently the A330 is sitting there and going nowhere.
Air Australia shut-down strands hundreds in Hawaii | KHON2 Hawaii's News Leader

HNL RareBirds: Air Australia Suspends Operations

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

This is terrible news

Alas, I am now without a job. I'm currently on leave overseas and it is truly saddening to see the headlines and internal work emails. Working in HQ in Ops I had a lot of contact with the crew and it saddens me that so many truly fantastic, highly professional and warm-hearted crew are now without a job.

Mal et al, thanks for your support and I truly hope your travel plans are not inconvenienced too greatly. I feel for you and many of the other passengers who won't be getting to their destination on time or at significant extra cost. It seems a number of Airlines are assisting stranded passengers thankfully, but without a doubt there will be a flow on for some time to come.

It is a shame it has come to this, I was looking forward to going back to work and seeing the next A330 arrive in the new colours (was due to depart on its delivery flight next week). Nevertheless it has been a great place to work the past few years and thanks everyone for the support.

All the best

 

[notzac]

Wunala Dreaming, sad to hear that you lost your job in this mess best wishes for a speedy return to the workforce!

 

[straitman]

Wunala Dreaming, sad to hear that you lost your job in this mess best wishes for a speedy return to the workforce!

Best wishes at getting sorted again on the job front.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Simo]

I hope that a white knight will come in and save the airline.

But it never worked for Ansett and in current financial times it will probably be harder to find someone with the real cash to sort it out and get it back to a profitable model.

 

[james1]

This is terrible news

Alas, I am now without a job. I'm currently on leave overseas and it is truly saddening to see the headlines and internal work emails. Working in HQ in Ops I had a lot of contact with the crew and it saddens me that so many truly fantastic, highly professional and warm-hearted crew are now without a job.

Mal et al, thanks for your support and I truly hope your travel plans are not inconvenienced too greatly. I feel for you and many of the other passengers who won't be getting to their destination on time or at significant extra cost. It seems a number of Airlines are assisting stranded passengers thankfully, but without a doubt there will be a flow on for some time to come.

It is a shame it has come to this, I was looking forward to going back to work and seeing the next A330 arrive in the new colours (was due to depart on its delivery flight next week). Nevertheless it has been a great place to work the past few years and thanks everyone for the support.

All the best

I too wish you all the best. We forget sometimes that although the financial burden for those with disrupted travel is serious, the impact for the many employees who have lost their current source of income is potentially devastating.