24 August 2011 - any predictions?

[Hvr]

I've been very sceptical about the possibility of Qantas culling routes out of Perth. However, I've just learnt that the large Qantas booking office in the Perth CBD has closed and, according to Qantas, isn't being replaced. To me, this is a sad sign that Perth can expect some disappointing news from Qantas in the next few weeks.

Weren't these offices closed in several locations including MEL? Apparently not used enough because too many people are booking via the internet.

 

[whughes3]

Weren't these offices closed in several locations including MEL? Apparently not used enough because too many people are booking via the internet.

There is still a QF office in Melbourne, but it has moved from its original prominent central location to somewhere much more out of the way.

 

[kamchatsky]

From the article below Jetstar will be the new star and Qantas being a minor play .... Sky's the limit for new aviation star in Asia | Herald Sun

 

[Danger]

Doubt it - PER is one of the most profitable domestic routes for Qantas which is why there is a battle going on between VA and QF for this route, why VA put its new A330s and business class config on this route, and why QF put international config planes on this domestic route.

Would be nice to have some first class flights and/or A380s out of Perth for international flights plus add a F-class lounge and hosts...

To clarify, I meant disappointing news on the QF international front at PER, not domestic. If anything, QF would be increasing their domestic presence at PER, as they have done previously.

Interesting about the QF shop-fronts. While I agree that it's now very easy to book online for domestic and most international, there are still a number of complexities that lay-folk (ie. those not on AFF!) would struggle with.

 

[Major]

From the article below Jetstar will be the new star and Qantas being a minor play .... Sky's the limit for new aviation star in Asia | Herald Sun

Mr Buchanan reveals a very threatening attitude to the pilots he employs. Not what I would call good leadership and will not bring out the best in his pilots.

 

[dajop]

From the article below Jetstar will be the new star and Qantas being a minor play .... Sky's the limit for new aviation star in Asia | Herald Sun

What amuses me in this article is the quote:

"We've carried 20 million passengers in the past year after seven years of operation - the big low-cost carriers like Air Asia, Ryan Air in Europe, South West in the US, none of them reached that milestone so quickly. We're the fastest growing airline in the history of aviation," he said.

Whilst it may very well be true, and certainly Jetstar Asia has grown out of nowhere. However, taking Jetstar as a whole, is it applicable to make growth comparisons with Air Asia, Ryan Air and South West? IIRC, none of these three airlines had a ready made market handed to them by another airline, as Jetstar did with OOL/HBA/LST/MCY/HTI, trans tasman & domestic NZ routes.

 

[harvyk]

What amuses me in this article is the quote:


Whilst it may very well be true, and certainly Jetstar Asia has grown out of nowhere. However, taking Jetstar as a whole, is it applicable to make growth comparisons with Air Asia, Ryan Air and South West? IIRC, none of these three airlines had a ready made market handed to them by another airline, as Jetstar did with OOL/HBA/LST/MCY/HTI, trans tasman & domestic NZ routes.

I found that a little amusing, all they have done is setting up a second company and tell some of their customers that the new company will be looking after them instead (i.e. QF pulling out of a market at the same time JQ enters it), and then claiming that the new company has had massive growth in a very short period of time.

That’s the thing, QF need to start looking at themselves as a whole entity, and realise that whilst they can separate JQ \ JQi \ QF and QFi on paper, the flying public make no real distinction, it’s the QF group that are flying them from A to B, that is reinforced by having “Jetstar, a Qantas group airline” printed on the sides of their planes, even getting rid of that tagline people now have made the mental connection.

 

[JohnK]

They need to push the lttle Irish dude. And soon, before he turns Qantas into Ansett2.

Am I right in thinking that everyone other than the Qantas board think the Irish dude spells bad news for Qantas?

 

[Vinny]

Am I right in thinking that everyone other than the Qantas board think the Irish dude spells bad news for Qantas?

Unfortunately I think you are right there. The QF board has outsourced its CEO and it appears to want to outsource QF's operations and keep it as an Australian brand possibly flying a few routes. AJ seems to forget he was working for Jet*, left, and should now be looking after the interests of QF. Not all Irish people are stupid or incompetent. Perhaps those who put him there are.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Am I right in thinking that everyone other than the Qantas board think the Irish dude spells bad news for Qantas?

The last chap with the help of the 'Chairman' tried to flog it off to Gordon Gekko........this one just fiddles at the margins by comparison.

 

[Kendall Roy]

Joyce has announced today that dispatch engineers (LAMEs) will now longer be used. Apparently, "World's best practice" dictates modern machinery requiring less supervision.

Be very concerned by those 3 words!

http://www.aviationbusiness.com.au/news/qantas-ceo-puts-the-airline-s-future-on-the-line

 

[codash1099]

You only have to look at the board member bio's to realize there's zilch aviation experience. That alone is a big enough concern.

Joyce has announced today that dispatch engineers (LAMEs) will now longer be used. Apparently, "World's best practice" dictates modern machinery requiring less supervision.

Be very concerned by those 3 words!

Aviation Business: Qantas CEO puts the airline's future on the line

Well that ought to calm the engineers.

 

[dajop]

You only have to look at the board member bio's to realize there's zilch aviation experience. That alone is a big enough concern.

How do you define zilch? Apart from AJ, does someone who was CEO/MD of QF for 8 years count as zilch (James Strong)? What about someone who had a stint as CEO at America West Airlines (Richard Goodmanson). Or former CEO of AWAS (Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services) (Barbara Ward)?

Opinions are fine, and I for one think that there is a concern at QF - they got lazy on the basis of several years of near monopoly on the corporate market domestically, and because of the comfortable duopoly between AUS and USA, both of which are now over. But it is rubbish to state that aviation experience is "zilch". There may not be a wealth of experience - and indeed the balance of power may not be with those with aviation experience, but there is more than zilch.

 

[Kendall Roy]

How do you define zilch? Apart from AJ, does someone who was CEO/MD of QF for 8 years count as zilch (James Strong)? What about someone who had a stint as CEO at America West Airlines (Richard Goodmanson). Or former CEO of AWAS (Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services) (Barbara Ward)?

OK fair enough. The Chairman is my biggest concern!

I don't mind Strong. He was apparently well received in general by staff

 

[dajop]

OK fair enough. The Chairman is my biggest concern!

You may well be right. Mining is very different to aviation.

 

[FL360]

QF international will close all the unprofitable routes, and any residual cash invested in SQ, CX shares.

If they can't win them, own part of them.

 

[Robert K]

Joyce has announced today that dispatch engineers (LAMEs) will now longer be used. Apparently, "World's best practice" dictates modern machinery requiring less supervision.

Be very concerned by those 3 words!

Aviation Business: Qantas CEO puts the airline's future on the line

I guess we could destroy all ATMs, and hire more bank tellers. and bring back the phone switch boards.

It sucks to be working in a job where machines are taking over. But it will happen sooner or later.

 

[harvyk]

I guess we could destroy all ATMs, and hire more bank tellers. and bring back the phone switch boards.It sucks to be working in a job where machines are taking over. But it will happen sooner or later.

it's a little different. What AJ wants to do is put at risk QF's reputation to save a few $$$, those things should be tools to help the LAMEs, not replace them.As for using the expression 'worlds best practice' thats just code words for we'll meet the minimum.the other thing which ws obvious from the article is AJ's love of gutting QF to prop up JQ.

 

[ajw373]

OK fair enough. The Chairman is my biggest concern!

I don't mind Strong. He was apparently well received in general by staff

The role of CEO is not a popularity contest. It is to get in there and do the hard yards to keep the business a profitable and on-going concern. Sometimes that means you are not well liked, which doesn't mean they are not doing their job or need to go.

 

[ajw373]

it's a little different. What AJ wants to do is put at risk QF's reputation to save a few $$$, those things should be tools to help the LAMEs, not replace them.As for using the expression 'worlds best practice' thats just code words for we'll meet the minimum.the other thing which ws obvious from the article is AJ's love of gutting QF to prop up JQ.

Every aspect of business has a certain amount of risk to it, that's why these CEO's are paid the big bucks. And no worlds best practice does not mean minimum standards.