Battling Virgin and Qantas discover road rage

[oz_mark]

From The Age, full article at Battling Virgin and Qantas discover road rage - Business - Business

THE battle between Qantas and rival airline Virgin Blue is about to spill over from the skies and hit the roads.

Representatives of the two airlines have registered to bid for the NSW car licence plate "QANTAS" when Shannons auctions it in Sydney today.

Qantas is reportedly keen to secure the plate for promotional purposes, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next month and a possible visit to Australia for the event by the airline's flying ambassador, John Travolta.

But Qantas' plans to buy the plate, valued at up to $40,000, may be stymied by Virgin Blue's part-owner, Richard Branson.

 

[NM]

I wonder if Qantas will bid when Shannons auction the number plate VIRGIN next week?

 

[NYCguy]

Going to an auction and getting stuck into a bidding war against a billionaire is pretty much a guaranteed disappointment.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Will they also be auctioning off QUANTAS for the American market?

 

[NM]

It would be interesting to know who owns it now.

 

[simongr]

What a stupid petty childish thing to do Branson.

 

[oz_mark]

What a stupid petty childish thing to do Branson.

Just the type of publicity stunt he relishes.

 

[straitman]

What a stupid petty childish thing to do Branson.

Half will agree with you and half will say 'good on you Richard for sticking it up Qantas'

 

[simongr]

I have no problem with him having a fleet of Virgin air balloons flying over when QF roll out their frst A380 to steal their thunder - but this is just spiteful and wasteful. I am not sure who doing this would "stick it to Qantas" in any case.

I agree though half will agree and half with think I am QF corporate shill

 

[Mal]

I did check very late last night (soon after the article was first published) to see if "Qantas" was available for Queensland's personalised plates.

Unfortunately it wasn't. Already taken (or not allowed as a combination).

I then looked for "Virgin". It is also taken - or deemed inappropriate. Not sure which.

Tiger is also unavailable. Jetstar isn't currently allowed due to a maximum of 6 characters.

Jetsta is available, but to me that doesn't seem like a good investment.

I tried

 

[swissbignose]

Going to an auction and getting stuck into a bidding war against a billionaire is pretty much a guaranteed disappointment.

I find it interesting that you believe that he's a billionaire.

 

[serfty]

I find it interesting that you believe that he's a billionaire.

Of course, it's an image... the bearded one simply spends gobs and gobs of company funds ... not his own ...

 

[swissbignose]

And not necessarily his own company's money either.