Emirates and Etihad cashing in on Australian market - while Qatar misses out

[Mattg]

An interesting CAPA article about Emirates' and Etihad's presence in Australia, noting the significant lack of presence by Qatar.

Australia is a key market for Emirates and Etihad, and is the missing link for Qatar Airways | CAPA - Centre for Aviation

Every two hours, an Emirates aircraft – half of them A380s – departs Dubai for Australia. After India, the UK and US, Australia is Emirates' fourth largest market by seat capacity deployment but second largest, after the US, for available seat kilometres.

About one in every 10 seat kilometres flown by Emirates is en route to Australia. Emirates is the largest international airline in Australia after Qantas while its neighbour, Etihad Airways, is eighth largest. Etihad in Australia punches above its weight: globally it is 37% the size of Emirates but has 45% as many seats to Australia as Emirates does.


Qatar Airways is missing out. If its Australian capacity was in proportion to Emirates the way Etihad's is, Qatar would have around 18,000 weekly seats and 50-60 weekly flights, placing it on the heels of Cathay Pacific as the seventh largest airline in Australia. Instead Qatar has only 14 weekly flights, 4,700 seats and is Australia's 18th largest carrier.

 

[wjohn]

Qatar also only serve 2/5 major cities though, so they are somewhat proportionate, though only once daily.

 

[Comoman]

I think I read Qatar less flights is to do with bilateral limits and also the Sydney curfew.

I regularly fly Qatar J and I think it is fantastic - better then anyone else (and I have flown most).

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I am baffled as to why QR have really never put in much of a marketing campaign into the Australian market.

Many Australians have not even heard of Qatar Airways, whilst the brand recognition of both Etihad & Emirates in the Australian Market is quite confound.

On the other hand, the marketing effort that QR goes to in the UK market is certainly on par with EK with TV advertising regularly secured in prime-time slots , along with a plethora of brand endorsements over various sporting sponsorships.

 

[paxman]

I wish they would bring their a380 to aus, nicest j cabin going.

 

[Himeno]

I think I read Qatar less flights is to do with bilateral limits and also the Sydney curfew.

I regularly fly Qatar J and I think it is fantastic - better then anyone else (and I have flown most).

Qatar-Australia air services agreement allows 14 flights/week (for each side) to SYD/MEL/PER/BNE, unlimited elsewhere.

UAE-Australia agreement allows 137/week (+ what QF and VA are using) to SYD/MEL/AVV/PER/BNE, +21 to SYD/MEL/AVV/PER/BNE - provided they have a tag to another Australian city and unlimited to elsewhere (though it appears that QF/VA get a say in how often/where EK/EY goes for those non SYD/MEL/AVV/PER/BNE ports).

QR could start service to OOL, CNS, ADL, TSV or CBR now, but can't to BNE or SYD without cutting back to PER or MEL.

 

[Isochronous]

QR also want to fly into SYD after curfew, which is another reason why they haven't expanded. But I also agree - QR has a fantastic product.

 

[Sprucegoose]

QR also want to fly into SYD after curfew, which is another reason why they haven't expanded. But I also agree - QR has a fantastic product.

We have rules in this country!!

 

[zainman]

I wonder if QF will use 787-9 to fly from DXB to other cities in Germany as EK is limited to 4 cities.

QR expanding into Australia is simply a matter of time. Their new airport, lounge, A350, 787, A380 products are excellent!