Qantas chief says Jetstar Hong Kong decision sends worrying signals about rise of protectionism
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the Hong Kong government’s decision on Jetstar Hong Kong sends worrying signals about the rise of protectionism in the aviation sector. Jetstar Hong Kong, a joint-venture between Qantas, China Eastern and Shun Tak Holdings, was left grounded in June when the Hong Kong Air Transport Licensing Authority (ALTA) ruled the
Cathay open to considering first class for Sydney
Cathay Pacific chief executive Ivan Chu says there may be enough of a first class market in Australia for the airline to consider offering its top cabin product on some flights to Sydney. Currently, all of Cathay’s Australian services are operated with aircraft featuring a three-class cabin of business, premium economy and economy. For Adelaide,
Virgin to suspend Sydney-Abu Dhabi route either side of Christmas to refit 777 fleet
Virgin Australia plans to temporarily suspend flying between Sydney and Abu Dhabi either side of Christmas while its fleet of five Boeing 777-300ERs are fitted with new business class seats and a refreshed premium economy cabin. The cabin upgrades are expected to be completed in two stages, with the first between October and December and
Virgin Australia establishes cargo unit
Virgin Australia will manage the cargo space in its fleet of regional, domestic and short-haul international aircraft from July 1 as it seeks to improve the performance of its freight unit. The move to bring cargo back in-house comes as Virgin’s contact with Toll for the belly space of its passenger fleet is due to
Qantas, American say they need deeper alliance to compete with Virgin-Delta and United-Air NZ
Qantas and American Airlines say the proposed deepening of their alliance will benefit consumers and allow the pair to compete effectively with the other carriers flying between the US and Oceania. The two oneworld alliance members have lodged their application for anti-trust immunity with both the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the US
Boeing more bullish on new aircraft orders
Boeing has revised upwards its market forecast for aircraft deliveries over the next 20 years, with the rise of low-cost carriers, the Chinese market and global economic growth fuelling demand for passenger travel and cargo volumes. The Boeing Current Market Outlook (CMO) for 2015-2034, published on Friday (Australian time), said 38,050 aircraft would be delivered
