Qantas - pulling down the Government's trousers

[browski]

Some beauiful work here from Qantas. See link.

Suckered the Aust Gov't into denying Singapore Airlines access to the US rout via Oz by promising to keep Maintenance jobs in Oz.

Then after the Govt ruling, Qantas sends the work off shore anyway - knowing the Gov't cannot go back on the Singapore Airlines decision without looking like jokes.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1598022.htm

Maybe we will suddenly see Thai or MAS or Emirates given the Govt's blessing as payback.

 

[aus_flyer]

The government is currently assisting Virgin Blue to gain access to US ports - flying from Australia.

 

[oz_mark]

The government is onto them....

From the ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1598022.htm

Govt quizzes Qantas over jet maintenance plan


The Federal Government is seeking information from Qantas over its plan to outsource some maintenance work to Singapore.

The airline says one of its 747s will be sent to Singapore for maintenance next month while its Australian maintenance facilities are relocated from Sydney to Melbourne.

A spokeswoman for the company will not say whether the move is a one-off but says Qantas remains committed to keeping its aircraft maintenance operations in Australia.

A spokesman for Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss says the Government has asked for urgent advice from Qantas about its plan.

 

[straitman]

The government is currently assisting Virgin Blue to gain access to US ports - flying from Australia.

Which of course raises the question whether Qantas would have been better off accepting Singapore Airlines rather than Virgin Blue :?:

Has their strategy backfired :?:

 

[oz_mark]

...and the government get a response

From ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1598411.htm

Overseas maintenance a one-off: Qantas
The Federal Government says it received an assurance from Qantas that a plan to send one of its planes overseas for maintenance is a one-off transitional measure.

The 747 is being sent to Singapore next month while the airline's Australian maintenance facilities are relocated from Sydney to Melbourne.

Qantas says it remains committed to keeping its aircraft maintenance operations in Australia.