QF to return to OOL [$48 SYD fares until 3pm Wed 15Aug12 ($88 MEL)]

[BD1959]

Great news - now I don't have to drive past OOL on the way down to Byron Bay!!

But this really does beg the question: what's changed? Joyce has stated time and again that QF will not operate where it does not make economical sense to do so. Qantas announced the original reason to exit SYD-OOL was because of high fuel prices - this back in 2008. We're continually told that fuel prices now are at an all-time high.

So, QF are abandoning their ploy of using Jetstar to attack Tiger (SMH: QANTAS will step up efforts to repel the advances of Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways after its decision to reinstate services to the Gold Coast after an absence of more than four years) and is prepared to lose money by matching DJ through equipment and Lounge offering at a time when it is bleeding cash?

Or is this a final roll of the dice by Joyce to prove - once and for all - that QF cannot compete on a major secondary market and that QF Domestic will withdraw to the East Coast triangle?

Regards,

BD
​

 

[iRobbo]

Next.. I certainly look forward to the upgrade in QF lounge facilities... some airbridges & an ILS system installed ASAP..

Qantas won't need the ILS flying the 800's in there, they will utilise the RNP approach. Never seen an aircraft miss out with that approach (except one who was way too high and fast, got in the next go)

 

[markis10]

Qantas won't need the ILS flying the 800's in there, they will utilise the RNP approach. Never seen an aircraft miss out with that approach (except one who was way too high and fast, got in the next go)

Still got a pretty high decision height at 810, which did not help JQ or DJ back in late Jan with 30 odd diversions each day.

 

[maninblack]

Qantas won't need the ILS flying the 800's in there, they will utilise the RNP approach. Never seen an aircraft miss out with that approach (except one who was way too high and fast, got in the next go)

During the heavy rain in late Jan I watched an Air Asia and a Jetstar A330 miss and go around. They both ended up in BNE I believe.

The Air Asia may have actually been an A340.

 

[oz_mark]

But this really does beg the question: what's changed? Joyce has stated time and again that QF will not operate where it does not make economical sense to do so. Qantas announced the original reason to exit SYD-OOL was because of high fuel prices - this back in 2008. We're continually told that fuel prices now are at an all-time high.

The Qantas spin is that the region has grown sufficiently in the last few years to a point where there is sufficient demand from premium leisure and business travellers. The cynic might think that they realised they made a mistake.

 

[kevrosmith]

During the heavy rain in late Jan I watched an Air Asia and a Jetstar A330 miss and go around. They both ended up in BNE I believe.

The Air Asia may have actually been an A340.

The runway lighting was upgraded a short while after this and will reduce the likelihood of these occurrences. I'll see if I can find a photo when I get to the office tomorrow...

 

[BD1959]

The Qantas spin is that the region has grown sufficiently in the last few years to a point where there is sufficient demand from premium leisure and business travellers. The cynic might think that they realised they made a mistake.

I chuckle and think to myself ... two wrongs won't make a right ... !!

QF have shown a 4 year "disrespect" for this market, people have grown to accept the "choice" which was thrust upon them. If QF really do think they made a mistake in withdrawing:

1) Why did it take so long for them to rectify?
2) Does this mean that Jetstar is not performing to the level expected - specifically the "line in the sand with DJ"?
3) How long before QF reassesses other markets as having recovered sufficiently to warrant restoration (I constantly read that LHR-HKG is Asia's most lucrative route)?

I see this as just another example of QF being reactive instead of proactive.

Regards,

BD

 

[markis10]

The runway lighting was upgraded a short while after this and will reduce the likelihood of these occurrences. I'll see if I can find a photo when I get to the office tomorrow...

Wont make an iota of difference if cloud covers is 8 oktas below 800!

 

[cmon0005]

Good news..

Although, Pity there are no direct flights from MEL..

 

[anat0l]

I see this as just another example of QF being reactive instead of proactive.

Regardless of the criticism of spin and mistakes, suffice to say there are many here that will concede that this is still a good thing to happen (cf. the continuous "head in the sand" so to speak with QF not resuming services at all).

That's not to say this action cancels all the wrongdoings. Certainly this is not the equivalent of the bible parable of the prodigal son.

 

[serfty]

Good news..

Although, Pity there are no direct flights from MEL..

But there are some $88 fares ...

 

[ozmille]

Good news..

Although, Pity there are no direct flights from MEL..

But there are some $88 fares ...

And why fly direct when you can connect

 

[BD1959]

Regardless of the criticism of spin and mistakes, suffice to say there are many here that will concede that this is still a good thing to happen

Myself among them - see my original post

Great news - now I don't have to drive past OOL on the way down to Byron Bay!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Oliverhrcm]

Two return flights already booked. Love it.

 

[oz_mark]

But there are some $88 fares ...

Maybe time for a thread on why it's cheaper to fly MEL-SYD-OOL than it is to fly MEL-SYD

 

[iRobbo]

Still got a pretty high decision height at 810, which did not help JQ or DJ back in late Jan with 30 odd diversions each day.

Nah, minima is around 350. I'm talking the Naverus RNPP approach. Not one aircraft has missed out on that approach AFAIK. Check for Air New Zealand diversions, I'm sure you will find they have all made successful approaches.

DJ does not fly RNP, JQ has several crews who are capable (slowly rolling it out through their fleet I believe). QF 800's should all be capable and now their 767 fleet is introducing it

 

[markis10]

Nah, minima is around 350. I'm talking the Naverus RNPP approach. Not one aircraft has missed out on that approach AFAIK. Check for Air New Zealand diversions, I'm sure you will find they have all made successful approaches.

DJ does not fly RNP, JQ has several crews who are capable (slowly rolling it out through their fleet I believe). QF 800's should all be capable and now their 767 fleet is introducing it

DJ does RNP AFAIK (see Instrument number CASA 194/12), found the approach in the supp files you mentioned, decision height is 285 which is a significant improvement!

 

[Berlin]

Qantas made a mistake back then (or the situation has changed- am not an expert) and now they're reinstating the flights, starting with a little test run from Sydney and then they will reassess. Perfectly fine business decision in my eyes, only shows (once again!) that Qantas has the ability to learn which is more than what you can say about many corporations. And I'm personally all happy clappy, besides that!

 

[blu]

Hell, just bought Syd-BNE fares in the last Sale for our OOL-KIX flight.

 

[samh004]

Hell, just bought Syd-BNE fares in the last Sale for our OOL-KIX flight.

You might be able to change them once the sale ends, but in my case I booked flights for a wedding in December BNE-SYD, though not likely to change em as it's in QF8, which will make up for the inconvenience and early start.


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