Qatar Airways to acquire 25% of Virgin Australia

[Himeno]

That's no different to the situation at many airports where the airline recommends a lounge, but the smart traveller knows they can access a different lounge under oneworld class of service.

I was on NRT-MEL about a month ago. Check in tried to get me to go to the old QF lounge.
I went right to the JL F lounge.

 

[bernardblack]

I think ideally in the long run they would like 3x daily’s into Sydney. Possible 2 into SYD and 1 into WSI so by time that is built hopefully they have secured another bilateral

Is WSI actually exempt from the current caps? It could be like ADL or CBR or OOL, as another port they can add without the limit?

 

[WilsonM]

Is WSI actually exempt from the current caps? It could be like ADL or CBR or OOL, as another port they can add without the limit?

My understanding is that while technically, it's not mentioned in the Air Services agreement. But when WSI comes online it'll most likely be treated the same as AVV, which is part of Melbourne (so AVV is included in the weekly cap for capital cities).

 

[WilsonM]

What's to stop them getting "VA" to run more flights to DOH under either a wet lease or dry lease arrangement?

I haven't read the application in full but does it (or will the eventual approval) state a specific number of flights they are limited to?

They can't run more than what QR can run in return (that's why they're bilateral agreements, they apply to each nation equally). So VA is limited to the 7x weekly from the 4 major airports and one additional routing a la ADL-MEL-DOH

 

[Himeno]

My understanding is that while technically, it's not mentioned in the Air Services agreement. But when WSI comes online it'll most likely be treated the same as AVV, which is part of Melbourne (so AVV is included in the weekly cap for capital cities).

AVV is a bit confusing. Some agreements list it as part of the cap, others don't mention it.

AVV is as much a part of Melbourne as OOL is part of Brisbane.

 

[ANstar]

They can't run more than what QR can run in return (that's why they're bilateral agreements, they apply to each nation equally). So VA is limited to the 7x weekly from the 4 major airports and one additional routing a la ADL-MEL-DOH

I presume if VA do use all the AU rights then both airlines would lobby their respective governments to look at increasing for the benefit of carriers in each. My understanding is one of the many reasons Qatar got knocked back for more capacity is because Australia wasn't utilising their capacity.