Qatar denied extra capacity into Australia

[UP4014]

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.

I think the other point straightman made in that post was his main one. and was just being polite.

 

[justinbrett]

This is news to me but probably not others - QR is having the exact same issue with Canada. QR is "being blocked by the national carrier" (AC) and the Government won't grant extra slots - QR saying they helped Canada through the pandemic, etc. etc... They're now looking for an alternative carrier in Canada to partner with.

It's basically a carbon copy situation - except seems the Canadian Government has done a better job keeping it out of the media.

Qatar Airways CEO Discusses New Business Class, Future Of A380s And Oneworld Alliance

The CEO of Qatar Airways shares the carrier's post-pandemic goals and what he sees as both obstacles and opportunities as the world travels again.

www.forbes.com

 

[Chicken]

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

Which one to pick, Qatar air or Chinese airlines?
- Qatar, where women have no rights and you may get searched; or -
- China, where you can be arrested because you have posted something on Facebook while in Japan; or arrested as a hostage for hostage diplomacy reason?
Which one is a better option?

 

[UP4014]

Which one to pick, Qatar air or Chinese airlines?
- Qatar, where women have no rights and you may get searched; or -
- China, where you can be arrested because you have posted something on Facebook; or arrested as a hostage for hostage diplomacy reason?
Which one is a better option?

Neither for me, but as others pointing out price is king for them. Price is not the most important criteria for me in fact it’s way down low on the list.

 

[stm1sydney]

In the paper today:

"Transport Minister Catherine King has brought into question Anthony Albanese’s claim that he was unaware of the blocking of Qatar Airways during his July 13 phone call with Virgin boss Jayne Hrdlicka.

Ms King repeatedly refused to tell parliament on Tuesday when she informed the Prime Minister of her July 10 decision, only saying it was before the media first reported it on July 18.

The answer leaves open the possibility that Mr Albanese or his office were told of the Qatar decision in the three days before his conversation with Ms Hrdlicka – despite his insistence to the contrary on Tuesday."

The only reason King could have for refusing to answer the question is that the answer will catch Albanese out for having lied that he did not know about the decision before he had his call with JH. The cover-up continues.

 

[straitman]

I think the other point straitman made in that post was his main one. and was just being polite.

I am glad at least one person got my drift. Thank you.

 

[Himeno]

The answer leaves open the possibility that Mr Albanese or his office were told of the Qatar decision in the three days before his conversation with Ms Hrdlicka – despite his insistence to the contrary on Tuesday."

The only reason King could have for refusing to answer the question is that the answer will catch Albanese out for having lied that he did not know about the decision before he had his call with JH. The cover-up continues.

 

[drron]

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 substantially change fare prices.

Though you are forgetting our local tourism operators. What QR having more capacity will do is to bring in more visitors so increassing revenue for those operators and increasing employment. The State Governments plus people like Graham turner have been making that point.
And those results are way more important than whether fares change.

 

[UP4014]

Though you are forgetting our local tourism operators. What QR having more capacity will do is to bring in more visitors so increassing revenue for those operators and increasing employment. The State Governments plus people like Graham turner have been making that point.
And those results are way more important than whether fares change.

Yes but the pro Qatar argument is lower fares.

Would be good to see the losings now of flights.

 

[drron]

Yes but the pro Qatar argument is lower fares.

Would be good to see the losings now of flights.

No as I said there are major interests that want the increase for the reasons I stated.
Just because AFF and the flying public would love lower fares is actually irrelevant when it comes to the Government saying yes or no to increased QR services.
Why do you think the QLD Government is subsidising airlines flying into BNE. Their press releases are pushing the increased employment opportunities that those services bring.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I don't think anyone can reasonably believe that 21 extra flights from Qatar would bring airfares down materially, let alone "40%" as some have claimed.

I also don't think anyone can reasonably believe that 21 extra flights from Qatar would not contribute and accelerate -- however modestly in isolation -- a downward pressure on fares.

But/so if it's not about money, what's it about? That's been the gazillion dollar question, and one that seems to cost the government more and more every day.

I'd bet a lot of money that if the government could go back with a crystal ball and make this decision again having seen the public fallout that's occurred, they'd have acted differently. If the reasons for denial were worth this political cost to the point they'd make the same decision again despite it, one would think they'd be able to communicate them clearly, convincingly and unapologetically.

Regardless, at least the focus has finally mostly shifted to where it belongs: on the government, not Qantas. If I were Vanessa Hudson this Friday arvo, that'd be at least one thing I'd be toasting to.

 

[Pushka]

circles back to the impact on this decision.

Apparently not according to some reports.

Post automatically merged: Sep 8, 2023

I don't think anyone can reasonably believe that 21 extra flights from Qatar would bring airfares down materially, let alone "40%" as some have claimed.

I also don't think anyone can reasonably believe that 21 extra flights from Qatar would not contribute and accelerate -- however modestly in isolation -- a downward pressure on fares.

But/so if it's not about money, what's it about? That's been the gazillion dollar question, and one that seems to cost the government more and more every day.

I'd bet a lot of money that if the government could go back with a crystal ball and make this decision again having seen the public fallout that's occurred, they'd have acted differently. If the reasons for denial were worth this political cost to the point they'd make the same decision again despite it, one would think they'd be able to communicate them clearly, convincingly and unapologetically.

Regardless, at least the focus has finally mostly shifted to where it belongs: on the government, not Qantas. If I were Vanessa Hudson this Friday arvo, that'd be at least one thing I'd be toasting to.

It would increase competition.

 

[jrfsp]

Though you are forgetting our local tourism operators. What QR having more capacity will do is to bring in more visitors so increassing revenue for those operators and increasing employment. The State Governments plus people like Graham turner have been making that point.
And those results are way more important than whether fares change.

I also wouldn't be surprised if POS for QR is >50% for overseas / incoming pax into AUS (unlike say QF which has a very high AUS POS

 

[pauly7]

Apparently not according to some reports.

Sure and some news reports say we didn’t land on the moon and also that the earth is flat

I think some common sense here leads to the conclusion that this horrific Qatar event is having an impact on this decision.

 

[Pushka]

Sure and some news reports say we didn’t land on the moon and also that the earth is flat

I think some common sense here leads to the conclusion that this horrific Qatar event is having an impact on this decision.

She is flip flopping all the time about who knew what and when so who knows what is the truth.

Minister denies searches of Australian women in Doha behind move to block Qatar Airways

The federal transport minister is under pressure to explain the decision to block extra flights for Qatar Airways.

www.theage.com.au

Hopefully the Senate Enquiry will get to the facts.

 

[pauly7]

She is flip flopping all the time about who knew what and when so who knows what is the truth.

Again, I think it’s very very clear, despite the words coming out of her mouth regarding the decision.

But if you are believing another alternate narrative that is completely your prerogative and I respect your right to believe it, just surprised a little I guess.

 

[Pushka]

Again, I think it’s very very clear, despite the words coming out of her mouth regarding the decision.

But if you are believing another alternate narrative that is completely your prerogative and I respect your right to believe it, just surprised a little I guess.

I don't know the truth. I don't believe anything anyone in Government is saying right now tbh. If we can't believe the words coming out of her mouth, which we can't, then it's simply a guess or assumption on everyone's part.

 

[justinbrett]

Technically neither the Transport Minister nor the Prime Minister have to participate in the inquiry as the senate cannot compel witnesses from another house. Although, I'm sure she will attend.

However, anybody who thinks this will get to the bottom of it has never watched one before.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Again, I think it’s very very clear, despite the words coming out of her mouth regarding the decision.

But if you are believing another alternate narrative that is completely your prerogative and I respect your right to believe it, just surprised a little I guess.

Deciding something is true "despite" the words being put in front of you is as much as a belief in an "alternative narrative" to the truth as deciding a different specific reason is the correct one.

The reality is no one knows. There is not an objective conclusion. Because they won't tell us.

Everything else is an interpretation based on assumption/inference/preference.

 

[CaptJCool]

10 July will go down as the day where the Govt got tripped up

the presence of the letter with the hand written date upon it means its very hard to compartmentalise the information upon which the decision to say no was made.

follow the correspondence.

The typed letter stating what it stated for the Minister signature and handwritten date signed on the 10th must have been done ahead of time / or done in a rush after the decision on the 10th was relayed by the Minister to the Department - (either way, not a good look)

Qatar question minister couldn’t answer

An under-fire minister was unable to answer a simple question about her decision to block Qatar’s bid to increase flights into Australia.

au.sports.yahoo.com