BA to quit Kangaroo Route?

[roryg]

I haven't seen it mentioned here - so apologies if it has - but TravelMole.com is reporting that:

"...it is thought that BA will soon withdraw [from the kangaroo route] allowing its OneWorld partner Qantas [to] operate the route."
(Full report in my post belowhttp://tinyurl.com/grart)

I was wondering what others here thought about this? Is it likely or not? Is there any substance to the rumour?


Rory

[edit to cut out link]

 

[JohnK]

"...it is thought that BA will soon withdraw [from the kangaroo route] allowing its OneWorld partner Qantas [to] operate the route."

Looking at recent BA loads from Aus I would not be surprised. There are always FF seats available to SIN and BKK right up until the last day.

(Full report here: http://tinyurl.com/grart)

Can't view the article as it requires membership.

 

[Mal]

I wouldn't be suprised either.

Flying SIN/BKK-SYD/MEL for BA involves a lot of work whereas Qantas definately has a big advantage in that space.

They are constantly having sales, which to me doesn't bode well that they have lots of pax wanting to pay top dollar for seats.

If they leave, I won't particularly miss them. The loss of WT+ will be the biggest downside I think as well as the reduction of award seats available.

 

[roryg]

Can't view the article as it requires membership.

Apologies.

Full article was about Austrian "leaving" Australia:

Austrian Airlines Pulls Out Of Australia

Vienna based carrier Austrian Airlines has announced that it is withdrawing its services to Sydney and Melbourne from March 2007.

Not a single continental European airline will be operating on the famed kangaroo route, which will only be served from Europe by UK carriers, long standing British Airways and recent arrival Virgin Atlantic, although it is thought that BA will soon withdraw allowing its OneWorld partner Qantas operate the route.

Austrian Airlines and the airline it took over, Lauda Air which have operated on what they consider to be a prestigious route for almost twenty years, are axing the services in an effort to slash costs and return to profitability, which is not considered to be a surprise in the current operating climate as the route is expensive and operationally difficult.

While the carrier recorded good loads, yields and fares were not covering the costs of the operations, with Austrian filling aircraft by offering discounted tickets, competing at the bottom of the market with Asian carriers, who enjoy lower operating costs.

As a result of the cut in services to Australia, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will lose their Austrian services as they were the stopovers for the services to Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

It is expected that 20 members of staff from Austrian's 36 strong Australian workforce will be made redundant, with most going from its Melbourne operation, where it has a call centre as well as airport staff, with the off line sales and marketing operation consolidating in Sydney.

Report by The Mole

 

[JohnK]

Apologies.

Full article was about Austrian "leaving" Australia:

No problem.

It is a shame that we now have no continental European carriers flying to Australia but it is understandable and expected due to the challenge that has been presented by Middle Eastern and SE Asian carriers.

 

[N860CR]

As mentioned, it could present a problem with award point availability. Most of my award flights between SYD and SIN/BKK have been on BA as the availability is generally better.

Interestingly, I did a search for an award flight BKK-SYD early next year on the QFF site and it listed the BA flight operated by a 777. Is it possible BA might just be downsizing the aircaft and not pulling out?