Turkish Airlines Application Grounded Before Launch

[Melburnian1]

Competition is much needed as much as Alan Joyce dislikes it. TK is a great airline with great customer service, which I’m sure QF lis afraid of

The best solution for international travel in and out of Australia - frequency, standard of service on the ground and especially in the air, punctuality, reliability, comfort on board, not losing one's luggage and meal quality (especially in J) is to NOT give QFi and JQi any of your hard-earned, and if flying on a corporate or government account, to insist that you NOT be booked on either.

Why pay more to travel to UK or Europe, for instance, when so many other airlines do a better job than struggling QFi, a legend in its own lunchtime?

QF engages in a lot of behind-the-scenes lobbying as domestically it loves what effectively is a cosy duopoly (ZL and parrticularly AB are ineffective at breaking this) while internationally, QF aims to restrict those airlines that it considers competitors (of which TK would be one) from ideally ever flying to/from Oz, or if it can't achieve that, ensuring they have as few destinations as possible, and very limited flight frequencies, plus no fifth freedom rights.

Too right, QFi fears TK. Look at how relatively unsuccessful QFi is on routes like Oz-SIN, where SQ beats QF hugely on so many aspects. The different frequencies (way in favour of SQ) reflect that. Travellers know which is way better.

 

[Warragul]

One cannot insist on flying out not flying particular carriers when on Government business.There are ways to make options more in line with the guidelines though which may achieve that.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

This is just Australian Federal Politicians doing their best to protect Qantas' self-appointed right to generate huge profits from abusing the Australian public with cough service.

 

[stm1sydney]

This is just Australian Federal Politicians doing their best to protect Qantas' self-appointed right to generate huge profits from abusing the Australian public with cough service.

And the Qantas Chairmans Lounge is a big part of this. Did you see the latest news that Albanese's son was granted membership. Speaks volumes. Anyone defending Qantas is defending the indefensible.

 

[Melburnian1]

And the Qantas Chairmans Lounge is a big part of this. Did you see the latest news that Albanese's son was granted membership. Speaks volumes. Anyone defending Qantas is defending the indefensible.

In some countries this might be considered corruption. He's a uni student for heaven's sake, and as 'AFR' said 'Joyce personally curates the list (of who's members of the CL).'

 

[Warragul]

It seems CL lounge members can gift a pass to a guest, maybe Albo gifted his to his son?

MPs shouldn't be members in the first place though.

 

[Melburnian1]

This short article online at 'SMH'/'The Age' won't tell any readers of this blog anything they didn't already know, but it's by that Michael Gebecki, travel guru who often writes informative pices.

It's an example of the headings the Federal government is copping over the Qatar Airways matter, and by extension applies to TK, another airline that many would like to see commence flights to/from Oz even if some may choose not to use TK:

Spineless government is preventing cheaper flights for Australians​

 

[marks]

And the Qantas Chairmans Lounge is a big part of this. Did you see the latest news that Albanese's son was granted membership. Speaks volumes. Anyone defending Qantas is defending the indefensible.

Wasn't he just sighted with his dad in the lounge? Probably just a guest. But turn it the right way to make it a scandal perhaps?

 

[drron]

Wasn't he just sighted with his dad in the lounge? Probably just a guest. But turn it the right way to make it a scandal perhaps?

The article says the son is a Chairman's lounge member so he doesn't need a pass from dad.

 

[Warragul]

This is supposing ( including what I read and relayed) is accurate as well. It could well be that it's ongoing access to the lounge, like a partner membership as well. We'll probably never know, which is the real issue with membership by public officials - the secrecy by some.

 

[jb747]

But with air rights we still run a protectionist outfit.

As opposed to completely government owned and funded airlines, with whom you cannot compete on an even playing field.

I’m no fan of what Alan Joyce has done to QF, but caving in to external government owned entities wouldn’t seem to be a reasonable outcome of ‘competition’.

How do we know QF hasn't quietly lobbied (without putting in a formal objection) against TK?

Your hatred of QF knows few limits. You’re just making stuff up.

 

[RooFlyer]

As opposed to completely government owned and funded airlines, with whom you cannot compete on an even playing field.

Qatar's J fares through to London were aired the other day on another thread & compared to other major carriers - they were definitely not the cheapest ... more 'middling' of those carriers, so seemingly priced commercially. So others are at least competing well on price.

Aust government on the other hand is tilting the playing field in favour of the home side.

 

[zarzuela]

Would love to know of any developments with TK's application. December is just around the corner and it now seems unlikely they'll start flying to MEL or SYD before the year's end.

 

[justinbrett]

Would love to know of any developments with TK's application. December is just around the corner and it now seems unlikely they'll start flying to MEL or SYD before the year's end.

Last report said TK haven't even decided if they'll fly to SYD or MEL. MEL is the favourite, but it's not confirmed. Decision was due mid August.

Can't really expect too much progress when big decisions like that are still to be decided.

 

[jrfsp]

Review: what it’s like to fly Turkish Airlines business class

The long-awaited arrival of Turkish Airlines brings fresh five-star style to the skies…

www.executivetraveller.com

I know its not our favourite source but its not paywalled. Looks like TK pushed back blaming the gov

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Another victory for the QF lobby...

 

[CaptJCool]

The Fin Review today page 5 Carrie’s a report of the Turkish airlines Australian general manager at the senate hearing

The existing bilateral agreement (over a decade old) didn’t give the airline fifth freedom rights so as they couldn’t fly direct from Istanbul to Australia they were not permitted to make stopovers on Asia

They had applied to CASA in August to change this so December is not likely to be the starting date

 

[RooFlyer]

Another victory for the QF lobby...

Qantas have said or indicated that they won’t oppose the Turkish airlines application or intentions.

Which is just so very gracious of them.

 

[dajop]

Review: what it’s like to fly Turkish Airlines business class

The long-awaited arrival of Turkish Airlines brings fresh five-star style to the skies…

www.executivetraveller.com

I know its not our favourite source but its not paywalled. Looks like TK pushed back blaming the gov

What is the typical timeframe for processing said applications?

I know in my industry, which is regulated by governments, if we make any announcements about product launches, we do actually account for the timeline the relevant government body typically takes to assess our application and grant an approval.

 

[RooFlyer]

, we do actually account for the timeline the relevant government body typically takes to assess our application and grant an approval.

'Typically', yes. And it seems like in the QR case, the Australian department did it’s assessment in regular timing but then of course it hit the ministers office.