QFi PAX loads down 7.2 percent during April '13 compared to April '12

[serfty]

ASX - QAN - Preliminary Monthly Traffic and Capacity Statistics - April

Summary here: Emirates tie-up fails to boost Qantas performance - Travel & Hospitality - ArabianBusiness.com

...The Emirates-Qantas alliance has got off to a bad start for the Australian partner, with international passenger numbers falling significantly in the first month.

Qantas International carried 463,000 passengers during April, down 7.2 percent on the same period last year, figures released to the Australian Stock Exchange on Sunday show.

Its load factor, a key indicator of the airline’s profitability, also fell from 82.1 percent to 77.8 percent. The decline of 4.3 percentage points was larger than the 3.5 percent reduction in capacity. ...

 

[markis10]

Considering they were restricted on bookings ex DXB until March 31, I am not surprised, and note this is mentioned in the Qantas release. Its not like approval was going to result in a rush of last minute travel.

 

[serfty]

It remains to be seen, but I am thinking London/Europe might not be the issue, I am getting an undercurrent/impression that Asia is well down in numbers.

(Even though business class appears full)

 

[harvyk]

Considering they were restricted on bookings ex DXB until March 31, I am not surprised, and note this is mentioned in the Qantas release. Its not like approval was going to result in a rush of last minute travel.

There was way too much uncertainty with the QF-EK tie up. I know that I didn't exactly feel like rushing out and making bookings on something that I couldn't be sure about.

 

[docjames]

I booked BA late Feb, instead of QF, for April/May travel as there was too much uncertainty pre-March 31. Plus until fares were integrated, QF were showing crazy high fares.

I'd say I'm not the only one....

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I don't think the figures were too unexpected. It will be the figures in 6 to 12 months time that I will be interested in. I do hope it works for them.

 

[samh004]

It remains to be seen, but I am thinking London/Europe might not be the issue, I am getting an undercurrent/impression that Asia is well down in numbers.

(Even though business class appears full)

Hopefully if they get a few more A330's back they can increase services at appropriate times, or fly to more places and get back in the good books in Asia.

 

[mannej]

Hopefully if they get a few more A330's back they can increase services at appropriate times, or fly to more places and get back in the good books in Asia.

The only 330's coming back are the 332's. It would mean that the 4 international 332's would have to go back to QFi, or the 330 fleet would need a refurb as none of the JQ 332's are in the International configuration (unless you are flying between PER and SIN...)

 

[samh004]

The only 330's coming back are the 332's. It would mean that the 4 international 332's would have to go back to QFi, or the 330 fleet would need a refurb as none of the JQ 332's are in the International configuration (unless you are flying between PER and SIN...)

Ahh, I thought they were getting international ones too, don't mind me then

 

[mannej]

Ahh, I thought they were getting international ones too, don't mind me then

I am fairly sure QFd has stated they are taking on all of the 332's currently whilst QFi are having the 333's

 

[Melburnian1]

One big problem for QF is that in a recent survey at the bottom of a travel article on the The Age - Business, World & Breaking News | Melbourne, Australia and Sydney Morning Herald - Business & World News Australia | smh.com.au websites, SIN Changi was preferred by about 50 per cent of respondents while DXB performed dismally as the preferred airport to transit on the 'kangaroo route.'

QF's new morning departures to Asia do not allow one to continue on QF metal to LHR or anywhere else in Europe. While some may choose to go on EK, it means travelling via DXB which is unpopular. We do not yet know (I'd like to see the statistics in a year's time) but QF may have made a disastrous decision to partner with EK.

 

[DrA]

One big problem for QF is that in a recent survey at the bottom of a travel article on the The Age - Business, World & Breaking News | Melbourne, Australia and Sydney Morning Herald - Business & World News Australia | smh.com.au websites, SIN Changi was preferred by about 50 per cent of respondents while DXB performed dismally as the preferred airport to transit on the 'kangaroo route.'

QF's new morning departures to Asia do not allow one to continue on QF metal to LHR or anywhere else in Europe. While some may choose to go on EK, it means travelling via DXB which is unpopular. We do not yet know (I'd like to see the statistics in a year's time) but QF may have made a disastrous decision to partner with EK.

Obviously I'm only a single data point, but all my European travel now involves: PER-SIN on QF, then SIN-LHR on BA. I then fly wherever I need to in Europe (or Africa) from LHR. I am one of those who does not like DXB and who will go out of their way to avoid it. I know the connections aren't ideal, but I'd rather spend longer transiting in Singapore than having to go through Dubai *shrug* Personal thing I guess.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I don't think the figures were too unexpected. It will be the figures in 6 to 12 months time that I will be interested in. I do hope it works for them.

I would guess that this doesn't look good in terms of forward loads?

 

[Isochronous]

Great JASA opportunity - but they have to do more to get bums on seats, and I think that requires chasing after local SIN customers harder.

 

[Swanhaven]

This is an interesting thread: I am writing this from London while Mrs Swanhaven is asleep - left Sydney on QF1 on Saturday 15th SYD-DXB-LHR and flight was absolutely "chockers" - not a single seat available - likewise the Melbourne flight that arrives DXB about the same time for same day was likewise full - not a single seat available (pax next to me was transferred from the Melbourne flight to the Sydney Flight - was able to come from Melbourne but after that he had to use seats vacated at DXB - flight from Sydney was still full from DXB to LHR.
Before I read this thread I was about to start one saying "how great both he flight was (despite 1.5 hour delay in Sydney) and especially the staff - just brilliant. Great attitude and really want ths to be a success.
I really hope this works - I could not, as a P1, fault the flight, the food or the staff. Just well done!

 

[Must...Fly!]

It will always take a bit of time but there is significant gain to be had in providing an EK codeshare on QF metal...those extra bums on seats to LHR will be very well utilised, I'd have thought!

Then it's a matter of trying to promote the availability of Qantas flights to and from Asia. Again, there is the opportunity there for some, hopefully, significant traffic to come through to QF.

 

[medhead]

One big problem for QF is that in a recent survey at the bottom of a travel article on the The Age - Business, World & Breaking News | Melbourne, Australia and Sydney Morning Herald - Business & World News Australia | smh.com.au websites, SIN Changi was preferred by about 50 per cent of respondents while DXB performed dismally as the preferred airport to transit on the 'kangaroo route.'

QF's new morning departures to Asia do not allow one to continue on QF metal to LHR or anywhere else in Europe. While some may choose to go on EK, it means travelling via DXB which is unpopular. We do not yet know (I'd like to see the statistics in a year's time) but QF may have made a disastrous decision to partner with EK.

I recall that the question asked wasn't about preferred route at all. Reading too much into it?

As for the morning flight times. There are no onwards connections to LHR on QF metal from SIN. Therefore departure time is irrelevant. Not sure how your going to continue on a plane that doesn't exist.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I would guess that this doesn't look good in terms of forward loads?
View attachment 16503

your pic includes the BA flight, and jetstar options a well but read into it whatever you want

 

[dajop]

Great JASA opportunity - but they have to do more to get bums on seats, and I think that requires chasing after local SIN customers harder.

Agree. There is no engagement with credit cards in Singapore market, yet there are great opportunities in terms of QF+3K services. I can credit points from credit cards to SQ (obviously), Malaysian, Delta, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Thai (and even if I had the right card Air Asia Biggies!), but QF is invisible.

Also, the Qantas brand equity is woeful here (if base fares are anything to go by) . I surveyed at random five return trips SIN-MEL over the next five months - comparing the QF return fare to the Jetstar "base" fare (no luggage ,food, IFE, "plus bundle"). Of these JQ was only cheaper than QF on the last two (Oct, Nov) - and then only by $7SGD (so would be more expensive by a bit if you had checked luggage, or indeed more expensive if you just wanted one drink on each flight). In the other three months the QF fare was $180, $25 & $110 cheaper than Jetstar base fare. This would puzzle many looking at from Australia, but Jetstar has built a solid brand here such that they can get away with charging more than Qantas for less!

Timing may also have something to do with it, I find a 10am departure from MEL a waste of day, so will always choose EK metal @ 18:00 to get an extra 8 hrs with friends and family in Australia, I don't know if others in Singapore feel the same, but it could also be a factor.

Qantas are probably doing very well with premium cabins between SIN and SYD/MEL, as they always have, but to fill the back I do think they need to engage with local markets more.

 

[adrian]

I am less likely to choose QF, now that it transits DXB. But I would prefer CX (old or new generation J) over QF, in either scenario, so it is a moot point for me....