Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[rj90]

Court enforceable undertakings provided by Applicants (PDF318.88 KB)

Post automatically merged: Today at 12:44 PM

Report indicates the new flights will be on sale from 11th December

 

[RooFlyer]

I don't see this as much, in the overall picture. Authorisation to sell flights, with caveat that if no ultimate authorisation granted, customers 'protected'.

A good first step, but another, more significant hurdle to come. I still wonder if they will come at 5 years wet lease. I reckon "3 years, then prove that you need more".

 

[simmomelb]

I don't see this as much, in the overall picture. Authorisation to sell flights, with caveat that if no ultimate authorisation granted, customers 'protected'.

AKA a full refund. This is always a legal condition to sell flights pending full Gov & regulatory approval.

 

[twinaisle]

"We want customers to book these new services with confidence. That is why we have committed to ensuring that any customers who purchase tickets for the new services before final regulatory approvals will be fully protected. This includes options for refunds, re-accommodation on suitable flights, and reimbursement for reasonable costs if the new services aren’t able to go ahead as planned due to outstanding regulatory approvals."

From the CEO

 

[Bagpuss]

I don't see this as much, in the overall picture. Authorisation to sell flights, with caveat that if no ultimate authorisation granted, customers 'protected'.

A good first step, but another, more significant hurdle to come. I still wonder if they will come at 5 years wet lease. I reckon "3 years, then prove that you need more".

As commented earlier the authorization is for 5 years.

When finalized there maybe a comment that a further authorization will not be granted beyond 5 years unless Virgin Australia is operating it's own aircraft and crewed by VA crew.

That said, they would need to be ordering aircraft pretty soon. 3 or 5 years isn't that far away for longhaul aircraft orders. Though the planes could just be transferred from QR to VA.

 

[RooFlyer]

As commented earlier the authorization is for 5 years.

I haven't followed this as closely as many here, but it was an application for a 5 year wet lease arrangement, wasn't it? Today's statement says Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have sought authorisation for five years. Nothing about whether they think that's OK.

Its not like they are presently selling tickets beyond a year presently.

I think the final determination/approval could include any number of conditions, limitations, couldn't it (genuine question)?

 

[markis10]

Today's statement says Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have sought authorisation for five years.

It’s an interim authorisation which says to me they are happy with it pending further work

 

[oz_mark]

I think the final determination/approval could include any number of conditions, limitations, couldn't it (genuine question)?

It could.

 

[simmomelb]

The next interesting update will be to see what status holders will receive in the international terminal, AKA, lounge access.
They'll have to announce this before December 11 if they want those types of pax booking flights (I've got my credit card in hand VA, ready when you are).

 

[aus_flyer]

The next interesting update will be to see what status holder benefits will receive in the international terminal, AKA, lounge access.
They'll have to announce this before December 11 if they want those types of pax booking flights (I've got my card in hand VA, ready when you are).

Lounge access will be very interesting... Let's take Sydney as an example... One QR flight is a true QR flight, the other is the Virgin operated by QR.

If you book the QR flight number on the "VA" flight, will OW Emeralds be able to access the Qantas first lounge?

 

[tmdl]

Any idea when these additional flights will be released as reward seats?

 

[oz_mark]

Any idea when these additional flights will be released as reward seats?

I suspect there's a few steps to go before that...

 

[simmomelb]

Any idea when these additional flights will be released as reward seats?

I'd assume December 11, the same day they should go on sale.

Could be wrong.

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Lounge access will be very interesting... Let's take Sydney as an example... One QR flight is a true QR flight, the other is the Virgin operated by QR.

If you book the QR flight number on the "VA" flight, will OW Emeralds be able to access the Qantas first lounge?

The way the submission and responses read is that the 28 new flights will be Virgin Australia flights as below
cooperation in relation to the deployment of capacity on routes between Australia and Doha, including Virgin Australia commencing daily scheduled return services between Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and Doha (New Services);
Therefore I'd say QF lounge access will be out of the picture because (despite these likely being wet leases with Qatar planes and staff) the flights primary 'operator' is Virgin and therefore not a oneworld carrier, so no oneworld rules apply to lounge access.

 

[jase05]

The way the submission and responses read is that the 28 new flights will be Virgin Australia flights as below
cooperation in relation to the deployment of capacity on routes between Australia and Doha, including Virgin Australia commencing daily scheduled return services between Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and Doha (New Services);
Therefore I'd say QF lounge access will be out of the picture because (despite these likely being wet leases with Qatar planes and staff) the flights primary 'operator' is Virgin and therefore not a oneworld carrier, so no oneworld rules apply to lounge access.

That would have to be the case surely.
QR already have an agreement to use NZ lounges so perhaps they get that extended

 

[Bagpuss]

I haven't followed this as closely as many here, but it was an application for a 5 year wet lease arrangement, wasn't it? Today's statement says Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have sought authorisation for five years.

The authorisation is for five years.

There's no comment on how long the wet lease arrangement lasts, which is why it's been questioned.

 

[Saab34]

Please not the 777!

 

[aus_flyer]

The way the submission and responses read is that the 28 new flights will be Virgin Australia flights as below
cooperation in relation to the deployment of capacity on routes between Australia and Doha, including Virgin Australia commencing daily scheduled return services between Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and Doha (New Services);
Therefore I'd say QF lounge access will be out of the picture because (despite these likely being wet leases with Qatar planes and staff) the flights primary 'operator' is Virgin and therefore not a oneworld carrier, so no oneworld rules apply to lounge access.

This is where I think it gets tricky... These will be Virgin Australia flights operated by Qatar airways.
The requirement for lounge access is that a flight is "marketed and operated by a Oneworld Airline".... Which indeed these flights will be (if you book the QR flight number).

 

[MooTime]

As commented earlier the authorization is for 5 years.

When finalized there maybe a comment that a further authorization will not be granted beyond 5 years unless Virgin Australia is operating it's own aircraft and crewed by VA crew.

That said, they would need to be ordering aircraft pretty soon. 3 or 5 years isn't that far away for longhaul aircraft orders. Though the planes could just be transferred from QR to VA.

5 years not long, but look what's happened since Nov 2019, 5 years ago, hellova lot.

 

[HS-TQE]

I’m sure the naysayers will no doubt find something to pot them about

The person(s) in question is posting elsewhere those days, I'd rather not get into their 'Conspiracy theories'.