What are Strategic up to?

[ozbeachbabe]

Why bother? SQ could simply set up an Australian AOC, find some local patsy to own 51% but take all the profit back to SIN by inflated aircraft sub-lease costs and transfer pricing, and fly A380s across the Pacific with their own brand and product. Only catch would be they could not put the SQ code on the flights (essentially for 5th freedom flights you have to have the rights to fly a sector in order to be able to put your code on another carrier on this sector).

There are locals who have offered to be partners but SQ is intent on operating in their own right - they will be waiting a long time but they are patient.

My bolding. SQ would have to have their own SQ flight numbers because in order to garner their share of the P & J dollars a lot of corporates would only identify with the SQ bit not the flight prefix of the 'patsy'.

SQ is ego driven & IHMO would not consider the option unless they have all the bells& whistles associated with the flight ie full traffic rights.

Guess they'll just have to take grandma's advice of "all good things come to those who wait".

 

[eastwest101]

And has happened previously in GLT with Alliance.

And also Mt Isa with Virgin Blue... have a look at the QF prices from Brisbane to Mt Isa if you want a good fright.

 

[Danger]

More here. Apparently their flights to the US will stopover in HNL.

 

[oz_mark]

Strategic have applied for 1,911 seats per week to China

Current Cases and Other Matters

 

[LiamR]

For an airline with one A330, they certainatly have big plans.... I keep thinking to myself, that they are just trying to scare everyone else so that somebody buys their business.

Their whole business model seems a bit sus to me...

• One Aircraft.... I haven't heard any plans to buy more?
• Going on routes VA pulled out of, HKT and DPS
• Aircraft that can easily be put into the Qantas Group Network
• Flights to US... I mean, really? Haven't we got enough airlines on that route.
• No FF Program, OLCI, Lounges, or any reasonable service on the ground.

The whole thing just dosen't seem right to me.... So please, Mr Joyce, if your listening, buy them out...

I'm no expert in Business, so I'm happy for people to say I'm wrong....

LR

 

[samh004]

• Flights to US... I mean, really? Haven't we got enough airlines on that route.

There are a few carriers on the route, but it’s still expensive… if they can offer a lower fare, it’s all good.

 

[markis10]

For an airline with one A330, they certainatly have big plans.... I keep thinking to myself, that they are just trying to scare everyone else so that somebody buys their business.

Their whole business model seems a bit sus to me...

• One Aircraft.... I haven't heard any plans to buy more?
• Going on routes VA pulled out of, HKT and DPS
• Aircraft that can easily be put into the Qantas Group Network
• Flights to US... I mean, really? Haven't we got enough airlines on that route.
• No FF Program, OLCI, Lounges, or any reasonable service on the ground.

The whole thing just dosen't seem right to me.... So please, Mr Joyce, if your listening, buy them out...

I'm no expert in Business, so I'm happy for people to say I'm wrong....

LR

There are a couple of issues with your argument, namely they are not a 1x A330 airline, they have quite a few A320s both locally and overseas, and they have also indicated they will have a FF program as well as align themselves with other airlines, so they are making all the right moves! Mind you, the fact they seem to be going all over the place with the one wide body is interesting, but they have stated another 4 are to come online in the next year and be up to 7 by the end of 2012!

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

For an airline with one A330, they certainatly have big plans.... I keep thinking to myself, that they are just trying to scare everyone else so that somebody buys their business.

Their whole business model seems a bit sus to me...

• One Aircraft.... I haven't heard any plans to buy more?
• Going on routes VA pulled out of, HKT and DPS
• Aircraft that can easily be put into the Qantas Group Network
• Flights to US... I mean, really? Haven't we got enough airlines on that route.
• No FF Program, OLCI, Lounges, or any reasonable service on the ground.

The whole thing just dosen't seem right to me.... So please, Mr Joyce, if your listening, buy them out...

I'm no expert in Business, so I'm happy for people to say I'm wrong....

LR

Strategic certainly are ambitious, however I disagree with the notion that they are expanding rapidly in the hope of being taken over.

1. They do indeed have just the one A330, however there has been many articles via various sources mentioning that another A330 is due later this year and additional frames over the next few years. I am not sure how one could not see them obtaining additional aircraft, especially since they wish to add USA and China services (remembering the sole A330 currently has a busy schedule). One need not look hard to find various articles announcing additional A330s
2. V Australia pulled out of coughet and they have never operated DPS services (that's PacBlue). coughet is a well developed market, with good passenger loads and a good supply of freight. The A330 is a more suitable aircraft to be operating flights to/from this market. Pacific Blue is the only carrier operating nonstop services from Brisbane to Bali therefore I can see the reasoning behind Strategic operating their own nonstop BNE-DPS-BNE services
3. I am not sure as to the specifics of adding aircraft to the Qantas fleet, however remember that Qantas operated GE-powered A330s and Strategic operated P&W-powered A330s. I am sure additional tooling and spares would be required for this. I would think Qantas would prefer to be leasing A330s with GE engines
4. Yes, there's plenty of carriers flying nonstop to the United States, however it is almost certain that Strategic are not going to be starting services to the mainland. Unless an A340 was sourced, the A330 could not make it to the mainland US without taking a substantial payload hit, which would virtually render the services unviable. Brisbane to Honolulu (and possibly Melbourne to Honolulu) is expcted to be the new service and currently there is a large market, yet no nonstop service (all routed via Sydney)
5. Strategic has mentioned that they would like to introduce a new FF program or partner with an existing program, again this has been mentioned in various news articles. OLCI will be added shortly given the carrier is transitioning to much more powerful and featured-packed reservations system and once again this has been mentioned in the media (online MMB etc will also be added). The Airline doesn't have a lounge per se, however as far as I am aware, do have an agreement with Air New Zealand giving J class lounge access in at least Brisbane. You mention that the Airline does not have any reasonable service on the ground - that's a rather bold statement to be making. How is the service any different to any other Airline that contracts out their ground handling services in Brisbane such as V Australia, China Airlines, Pacific Blue et al.

Being an expert in business has nothing to do with the topic at hand. I merely have presented the facts and am certainly not as knowledgable as some others.

 

[LiamR]

Your both Right, as I said, I'm no expert on this, I am just commenting on what I have seen in the media, and from my brief observations of Stragetic.

I'm sure they'll improve their levels of service as we improve.

But... By service on the ground, I'm not talking about the lady at the checkin desk. I'm talking about everything that happens before/after I step onboard the aircraft.

Their website isn't as good as others, they don't have NCGI, any sort of priority service for Elite FF'ers, OLCI, it seems to me they've made a quick website, found some staff, and thrown thier planes into service.

That is just my view, since I am use to the huge ammount of service I recieve from QF on the ground.

I'm sure they are trying to bring their service up to scratch, but for now, they aren't much of an airline.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Your both Right, as I said, I'm no expert on this, I am just commenting on what I have seen in the media, and from my brief observations of Stragetic.

I'm sure they'll improve their levels of service as we improve.

But... By service on the ground, I'm not talking about the lady at the checkin desk. I'm talking about everything that happens before/after I step onboard the aircraft.

Their website isn't as good as others, they don't have NCGI, any sort of priority service for Elite FF'ers, OLCI, it seems to me they've made a quick website, found some staff, and thrown thier planes into service.

That is just my view, since I am use to the huge ammount of service I recieve from QF on the ground.

I'm sure they are trying to bring their service up to scratch, but for now, they aren't much of an airline.

I disagree with your assertions and feel you are comparing apples with oranges. Strategic Airlines in some respects is fairly new to the RPT environment, where as comparatively speaking, Qantas is much more well established in the RPT environment.

Yes, the website is basic, however it does what it is set out to do. I can see why you would want benefits such as NGCI, however these iniatives are capital intensive and not something that Strategic would even be looking at given the size of their network. I know you are relating to your personal experiences with Qantas, however once again both carriers are vastly different. Strategic is a much smaller carrier and it takes time and is resource intensive to roll out new iniatives and new routes.

It is disappointing that you feel as if this carrier has in your words "made a quick website, found some staff, and thrown thier (sic) planes into service". The carrier has been around since the 1990s (not in the current form) as have some of the staff. It is evolving from an Airline primarily focussed on charter work to one that is focussed on RPT and charter. You certainly can't just "throw planes" into service - it is a very resource and labour intensive task, firstly preparing an AOC and adding aircraft to the register, especially if they have come from other operators. The carrier's A330 was flying on charter work well before coughet commenced.

I don't think it is fair to relate to your experiences with Qantas to a much smaller carrier such as Strategic. As I alluded to, it is like comparing apples with oranges. I am sure the many hard working employees would also be disappointed to hear that you do not perceive them as "much of an Airline".

All very subjective, however I do not think you are approaching the argument fairly. You are however entitled to put forward your opinion and I respect that.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Strategic's application for flights to China has been approved.

Strategic Airlines' application to
operate flights between Australia
and China has been approved by
the International Air Services
Commission (IASC) with the
airline to operate three A330
services per week.
Details on routes and a launch
date remained under wraps
although chief commercial officer
Damien Vasta confirmed that “we
will certainly be flying out of Brisbane

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/getattachment/1b20942b-1a1d-44b9-97f1-57b6b1088e3e/pdf.aspx

 

[LiamR]

Hmmm. Their one A330 had engine problems and made a diversion. Somebody I know is sitting in BNE, right now and was planning to be in DPS. Looks like he isn't going anywhere for about 20hrs. Pretty good offer if you ask me. A refund of your flight, and travel for free.

I personally would rathre get there, and why I don't fly them just yet... but this would please the general public.

coughet/Bali Flight Update

coughet/Bali Flight Update UPDATE 12:45PM AEST 18th June 2011
We regret to advise the following flights have been delayed. Below is an approximate departure time for each flight. These departure times are subject to change at any time, so please keep checking the website for regular updates.

VC247 - 17 June 2011 coughet to Brisbane. We estimate that this flight will depart on 18 June 2011 at 18.35

VC226 - 18 June 2011 Brisbane to Denpasar. We estimate that this flight will depart on 19 June 2011 at 07.40

VC227 - 18 June 2011 Denpasar to Brisbane. We estimate that this flight will depart on 19 June 2011 at 12.55
VC246 - 19 June 2011 Brisbane to coughet. We estimate that this flight will depart on 19 June 2011 at 22.05

We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.

Flight VC240 - 17 June 2011 Melbourne to coughet has been cancelled. Passengers booked on this flight will be offered a full refund and the opportunity to rebook your flight free of charge within 12 months. Please email [email protected] and one of our team members will be in contact within five business days. Again we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.

Flight VC241 - 16 June 2011 coughet to Melbourne has been cancelled. We are working with other airlines to try and get our passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible. Strategic Airlines will contact passengers via text message or by local contact. Again we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.Strategic Airlines are still working with our Engineers to resolve the technical issues we are currently experiencing.Due to a minor technical fault, a decision was made to divert our Brisbane to coughet service VC246 to Kuala Lumpur yesterday evening. As a result of the late arrival into Kuala Lumpur, all passengers and crew were accommodated in nearby hotels.Strategic Airlines apologises sincerely for this inconvenience however we are committed to our Captain's discretion to exercise our Safety First principle, without compromise.Our team are working swiftly to return this aircraft to service as soon as possible and to make alternative travel arrangements for our passengers.Given the large volumes of calls to our reservations team, we will continue to provide updated information on our website.Again our sincere apologies, we are endeavouring to return to our normal service as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued patience.Strategic Airlines​

 

[LiamR]

Does anybody know what happened with the aircraft? Can't find anything on avherald just yet.

 

[Justchecking]

And that is the reason I would not book with them, even though I'm flying on a route they offer. If your travel is time sensitive then you could be up for a full rack rate fare on short notice from god knows where just to get there or home on time. No thanks

 

[markis10]

Looks like they will be flying to Emerald soon, QF dropped all their fares to Emerald late last week....

 

[docjames]

And that is the reason I would not book with them, even though I'm flying on a route they offer. If your travel is time sensitive then you could be up for a full rack rate fare on short notice from god knows where just to get there or home on time. No thanks

That's what travel insurance is for!

 

[dajop]

And that is the reason I would not book with them, even though I'm flying on a route they offer. If your travel is time sensitive then you could be up for a full rack rate fare on short notice from god knows where just to get there or home on time. No thanks

And that could happen on Air Asia, Jetstar, or indeed any number of carriers. Could even get stuck in LAX for 24 hrs if QF's last aircraft out of LAX goes unserviceable. Even carriers who have loads of aircraft don't always have the spare capacity to deal with these things, but obviously the chances of getting home sooner are greater the bigger the fleet and the more partners a carrier has. A good sign they are booking passengers on other carriers to get home from HKT.

 

[markis10]

And that could happen on Air Asia, Jetstar, or indeed any number of carriers. Could even get stuck in LAX for 24 hrs if QF's last aircraft out of LAX goes unserviceable. Even carriers who have loads of aircraft don't always have the spare capacity to deal with these things, but obviously the chances of getting home sooner are greater the bigger the fleet and the more partners a carrier has. A good sign they are booking passengers on other carriers to get home from HKT.

+1, I notice no one has mentioned DJs lose of an A330 this weekend due to a mech issue!

 

[ButFli]

That's what travel insurance is for!

That's what GOOD travel insurance is for. Plenty of the cheaper ones would not cover anything because a refund is being offered.

 

[shambles]

With no alliance or other airline partners, it's not going to be as easy to find seats for 200 odd pax.

Or even 200 normal pax