Qatar denied extra capacity into Australia

[Lynda2475]

And now 7 news is reporting that QR is planning on flying to CBR, since they cant have extra SYD/MEL flights so much for the claims here earlier today will never happen because it's not commercially viable.

Guess that bluff has been called. They always (although undeservedly) had an avenue to fly more

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

While relevant, we don’t even need to consider the double standards at play if we say “no” to Qatar but “yes” to a host of many other carriers on the basis of human rights abuses.

Because telling Qatar, “no, you can’t fly 21 extra flights to our largest ports because of these horrendous actions but by all means, please fly into Canberra/Cairns/Adelaide/etc.,” is of course simply a nonsense double standard itself.

Yet that focus on secondary ports and how welcome Qatar is to fly into them has been one of the government’s key talking tracks in the last 48 hours… resulting in the “best” (only?) reason we’ve heard in the last few days beyond cryptic reference to “protecting the national interest” falling apart instantly.

What a mess. I’m here for it.

 

[justinbrett]

Because telling Qatar, “no, you can’t fly 21 extra flights to our largest ports because of these horrendous actions but by all means, please fly into Canberra/Cairns/Adelaide/etc.,” is of course simply a nonsense double standard itself.

Well the thing is the current treaty already allows it, so the government doesn't have to do anything.

 

[jrfsp]

And now 7 news is reporting that QR is planning on flying to CBR, since they cant have extra SYD/MEL flights so much for the claims here earlier today will never happen because it's not commercially viable.

Guess that bluff has been called. They always (although undeservedly) had an avenue to fly more

Ahhh 7 news it must be true!

And if it is…well it all makes sense now!! we didn’t give the pollies the credit they deserve- all they wanted was QR to fly direct to CBR so they could get 1 stop flights to Europe on Q suites without having to go via SYD and having to endure QF

 

[PineappleSkip]

Here's the link to the 730 report interview tonight.
Transport Minister Catherine King responds to questions about Qatar Airways decision

Interesting that she mentioned that the requested increase was 4 times the size of previous requests. Yet another reason/justification for the decison/ Also that she now has Turkish and Vietnam airlines requests for additional capacity on her desk.

Cheers skip

 

[straitman]

Here's the link to the 730 report interview tonight.
Transport Minister Catherine King responds to questions about Qatar Airways decision

Interesting that she mentioned that the requested increase was 4 times the size of previous requests. Yet another reason/justification for the decison/ Also that she now has Turkish and Vietnam airlines requests for additional capacity on her desk.

Cheers skip

I just had someone here, who’s not following closely, ask if she really has any idea what she’s talking about as her story keeps changing.

 

[Himeno]

Also that she now has Turkish and Vietnam airlines requests for additional capacity on her desk.

Turkey has 7 weekly flights to the 4 majors and unlimited elsewhere in their current agreement.
Vietnam has 42 to the majors, unlimited elsewhere +7 to the majors to/via an unlimited port.

 

[Chicken]

You must not have been looking very hard updates provided by:
* AFR in February
* 9 News in April
* SBS , News and The Guardian all had updates in May this year

And a lot of other updates in October and November 2022 from BBC, CNN, New York Times, SMH, 7 News and ABC

Media Watch just reported and documented on Monday on how the commercial media had been cheerleaders for Qantas in the past few years.

Minister on 7:30 report. Gave list of reasons contributing to the "National interest" reason to refuse Qatar's application: about 5. The incident at Doha Airport wasn't amongst them. Not mentioned amongst the reasons. Contrast with what she said earlier.

This is actually what she said during ABC AM this morning. She said the incident was 'not a factor, but it provides a context'. Whatever that means.

 

[OATEK]

While relevant, we don’t even need to consider the double standards at play if we say “no” to Qatar but “yes” to a host of many other carriers on the basis of human rights abuses.

Because telling Qatar, “no, you can’t fly 21 extra flights to our largest ports because of these horrendous actions but by all means, please fly into Canberra/Cairns/Adelaide/etc.,” is of course simply a nonsense double standard itself.

Yet that focus on secondary ports and how welcome Qatar is to fly into them has been one of the government’s key talking tracks in the last 48 hours… resulting in the “best” (only?) reason we’ve heard in the last few days beyond cryptic reference to “protecting the national interest” falling apart instantly.

What a mess. I’m here for it.

As stated several times, Qatar has certain rights to fly into AU, with limits on key cities but none on other locations. The government has no wish to remove any rights. But they obviously want something in return for increasing their quota. Under the existing agreement QR can fly to cities where no limits have been placed.

This argument around whether they are inconsistent about other countries with poor human rights records is in my view looking at it the wrong way around. Agreements with China, Hong Kong, India, Turkey etc are in place just like the one with Qatar. It is always possible that if say China wanted some major change (and lets face 21 flights quite a big increase for QR), then issues around Aussies held on trumped up charges could be part of the negotiations (although standing up to China would be a much bigger ask than to Qatar)..

 

[stm1sydney]

As Minister King said the search issue was not a factor in the decision, it is off topic for this thread. Let's concentrate on how disgracefully the Australian government has acted in making its decision and then covering up Albanese's and Joyce's involvement.

 

[UP4014]

King said "the decision to refuse Qatar was made in the national interest."

Its disappointing that King has the sole decision and did not consult Don Farrell the Minister for Trade and Tourism on what benefits the additional 21 flights would bring to the tourism industry.

The flights are allowed to Australia just not to Sydney Melbourne and was it Brisbane.

 

[justinbrett]

Minister King said a lot of things....

 

[UP4014]

As Minister King said the search issue was not a factor in the decision, it is off topic for this thread. Let's concentrate on how disgracefully the Australian government has acted in making its decision and then covering up Albanese's and Joyce's involvement.

I agree with the decision not allow Qatar Airways more flights to Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane? They are welcome to go to Perth Adelaide Hobart and Darwin of course.

I don’t mind the extra fare cost.

 

[justinbrett]

The flights are allowed to Australia just not to Sydney Melbourne and was it Brisbane.

Sydney, Melbourne Brisbane and Perth are capped at 28 services per week
And additional 7 can either originate or operate via these airports, if the same flight operates via / originates in a secondary port (any except those four). Eg DOH-MEL-ADL, DOH-ADL-MEL.

I don’t mind the extra fare cost.

QR CEO said late last year that QR's fares are already very reasonable, when asked to give a commitment extra capacity would bring down prices. He did say it would stop them going up further.

 

[oz_mark]

I agree with the decision not allow Qatar Airways more flights to Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane? They are welcome to go to Perth Adelaide Hobart and Darwin of course.

Perth is included in the cap with Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney

 

[UP4014]

Perth is included in the cap with Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney

Thanks for that, old timers, Perhaps they could try the new Chinese owned airport between Perth and Kalgoorlie. I forget where it is. ( more old timers)

 

[Human]

I don’t mind the extra fare cost

Is it fair to say that you don't care about those people who do mind the extra fare cost?

The families with children who struggle to afford to fly anywhere? The people on lower incomes than you? The people who don't have an employer who pays for their tickets? The people (like me) with elderly relatives who sometimes must be visited or (worse) the grieving relatives who have to pay more to attend a funeral or to visit the sick or dying?

Do you care about those people, or is it simply the case that because you're not one of them, you don't care about having to pay extra?

 

[straitman]

Is it fair to say that you don't care about those people who do mind the extra fare cost?

The families with children who struggle to afford to fly anywhere? The people on lower incomes than you? The people who don't have an employer who pays for their tickets? The people (like me) with elderly relatives who sometimes must be visited or (worse) the grieving relatives who have to pay more to attend a funeral or to visit the sick or dying?

Do you care about those people, or is it simply the case that because you're not one of them, you don't care about having to pay extra?

Like most here, I do care about the extra fare cost. Having said that however, we are all entitled to an opinion on this and all matters.

 

[UP4014]

Is it fair to say that you don't care about those people who do mind the extra fare cost?

The families with children who struggle to afford to fly anywhere? The people on lower incomes than you? The people who don't have an employer who pays for their tickets? The people (like me) with elderly relatives who sometimes must be visited or (worse) the grieving relatives who have to pay more to attend a funeral or to visit the sick or dying?

Do you care about those people, or is it simply the case that because you're not one of them, you don't care about having to pay extra?

East coast Australia to Europe cheapest is a Chinese carrier, cheaper than Qatar would reduce the fare level to.

Qatar already fly here and have said their fares would not likely change, so unless QF undercut them which is unlikely I doubt the market pricing will change.

Personally I think the fare reduction idea is a bit of a red herring and would not substantially change fare prices.

 

[justinbrett]

Like most here, I do care about the extra fare cost. Having said that however, we are all entitled to an opinion on this and all matters.

Assuming you believe some of the outrageous claims in the media about how much these flights would bring down prices. A certain MP said it would be "thousands".

Most experts that don't have a dog in the fight - including Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner, said it might bring them down slightly, but not dramatically.

As I just posted earlier even QR CEO wouldn't commit to saying they'd bring down prices.