Qantas buys National Jet Systems - brings regional fleet back in house

[jakeseven7]

Well we knew QF were keen to get complete control of the 717’s, deemed perfect (and difficult to secure with many airlines bidding for them when they become available - still) for many AU domestic routes but no one saw this coming. Good move to have this fleet under control for a corona recovery.

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Qantas brings regional fleet back home


The acquisition, which the airline announced on Wednesday afternoon, ends 15 years where National Jet Systems had operated the fleet on behalf of regional subsidiary QantasLink.

QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said the acquisition provided it more certainty for the future.

"The B717s provide us with [the] flexibility to service many segments of the domestic market, including regional routes, fly in fly out operations or more frequencies to capital cities. These are the kind of routes where travel demand is likely to recover first [from the COVID-19 pandemic]," he said.

Cobham will continue to operate four freighter jets on behalf of Qantas freight.

Qantas brings regional fleet back in-house

Qantas will take the operation of 20 Boeing 717 aircraft running regional routes back in-house with the purchase of National Jet Systems off Cobham Australia.

www.afr.com

 

[jakeseven7]

Another article covering the move:



Qantas buys a chunk of Cobham Aviation


Qantas has bought a chunk of Cobham Aviation for an undisclosed sum, in a move that will see all regional QantasLink services returned to the Flying Kangaroo.

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

 

[Mattg]

The 717s must be one of the only fleets in the QF network that's still making money at the moment?

 

[jakeseven7]

Its a big move they slipped in under the cover of night.

Gives them full control over a fleet of planes that will be very handy as a $ driver in a demand impacted world.

I'm sure they would love more 717's if they could get their hands on them.

 

[p--and--t]

I see so much hate around the place for AJ, but he & his team are good planners, strategic thinkers and smart operators in the scheme of things.

 

[dajop]

I see so much hate around the place for AJ, but he & his team are good planners, strategic thinkers and smart operators in the scheme of things.

It's interesting though, lot of hate (on AFF) for Rex "taking money" from government* at the same time putting forward essentially a thought bubble to start domestic operations next year (with some discussions with potential investors). Yet not much disdain for QF "taking money" from the government* whilst spending money to acquire some more assets.

* to run minimum agreed services

 

[p--and--t]

It's interesting though, lot of hate (on AFF) for Rex "taking money" from government* at the same time putting forward essentially a thought bubble to start domestic operations next year (with some discussions with potential investors). Yet not much disdain for QF "taking money" from the government* whilst spending money to acquire some more assets.

* to run minimum agreed services

Yep lots of hate going around, haters everywhere. The internet is a trolls playground

Of course QF didn't take money from the government to buy more planes. They hocked a few of their existing planes to get some cash while deciding not to fly routes made non viable by Government decisions without a contribution.

 

[jb747]

QF already owned the 717s. It was contracting out their operation. Cobham has gone through some ownership changes of it's own lately, so I suspect that might be a large driver of this.

 

[wandering_fred]

Its a big move they slipped in under the cover of night.
Gives them full control over a fleet of planes that will be very handy as a $ driver in a demand impacted world.
I'm sure they would love more 717's if they could get their hands on them.

Rumors abound that Delta is getting rid a number of plane types including its B717s and similar

The internet encourages wandering
Fred

 

[jakeseven7]

Rumors abound that Delta is getting rid a number of plane types including its B717s and similar

The internet encourages wandering
Fred

Drop AJ an email then I don't have the cash

He is often quoted in the media as really desperate to get more, there is a very competitive second hand market for them apparently!

 

[dylarr]

Interesting news. This change means that now all Qantas (including QantasLink) passenger aircraft are operated by Qantas or one of their wholly owned subsidiaries. Cobham (as National Jet Systems) were the only third party operating passenger aircraft on behalf of Qantas before this change.

This probably doesn't mean a whole lot of change in the scheme of things. The National Jet Systems entity will certainly continue to remain with crew employed by and flights operated under the AOC of that entity (just like Sunstate, Eastern Australia, Network Aviation).

 

[jakeseven7]

Interesting news. This change means that now all Qantas (including QantasLink) passenger aircraft are operated by Qantas or one of their wholly owned subsidiaries. Cobham (as National Jet Systems) were the only third party operating passenger aircraft on behalf of Qantas before this change.

This probably doesn't mean a whole lot of change in the scheme of things. The National Jet Systems entity will certainly continue to remain with crew employed by and flights operated under the AOC of that entity (just like Sunstate, Eastern Australia, Network Aviation).

Next stop..... Alliance

 

[Greg555]

I see so much hate around the place for AJ, but he & his team are good planners, strategic thinkers and smart operators in the scheme of things.

Any critisism of Joyce is wholly justified.
Qantas has become - under his direction - the worst customer service organisation in Australia. Ever tried calling them? Ever tried emailing them? Ever tried filling out ridiculous online complaint forms that are then completely ignored. Still waiting 70+ days for refunds promised in 21 - yes. Tired of sullen, unsmiling cabin staff - yes. Hours spent every week managing and claiming missing shopping & partners points - then waiting 24 weeks, yes 24 weeks for them to be honoured - yes.
I recently cancelled 6 paid American Airlines flights and received full refunds in 6 to 10 days, no problems. AA are experiencing the same if not more issues than Qantas.
Qantas are deliberately using Covid as an excuse to hire less & serve us less and with Virgin down it's only gunna get worse......
Yes I justifiably htae Joyce.

 

[straitman]

QF already owned the 717s. It was contracting out their operation. Cobham has gone through some ownership changes of it's own lately, so I suspect that might be a large driver of this.

The new CEO of Cobham is a good friend of mine. From his perspective this was a good way forward so it seems that both sides are happy.

 

[mexiwi]

The new CEO of Cobham is a good friend of mine. From his perspective this was a good way forward so it seems that both sides are happy.

There certainly has been some changes within Cobham since the Advent buyout - the previous CEO was shown the door rather quickly.

I'm wondering if it was a case of take it or leave it for Qantas as Cobham didn't want the risk any more.