Former Qantas executive John Borghetti wins top job at Virgin Blue

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Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

The Fin Review is much more certain...

Qantas veteran to be Virgin CEO
Virgin Blue is set to announce the appointment of former long-serving Qantas executive John Borghetti as its new chief executive, pitting him against the man who beat him for the top job at Qantas, Alan Joyce.
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Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

I wonder if DJ was a better option than watching the reach of QF decline as JQ took the reigns?
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

Weird how things turn out:

Qantas: 'full service airline' run by a 'budget airline' manager
Virgin Blue: 'budget airline' run by a 'full service airline' manager
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

I think it's a good move from DJ.
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

It will be interesting how he takes Qantas on in his new role. I would expect that we may see some interesting innovations coming up.
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

I think its a great move by DJ, he's the guy who should be running QF right now, not that turkey Joyce

Shall be interesting to see what eventuates.

TG
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

SMH said:
While Mr Borghetti's experience is with full-service product, one former airline executive noted this could fit in well with Virgin's move upmarket, as it tries to attract more business and government passengers.

"If that's the way they're thinking and they want to attack more of the Australian corporate market, Borghetti would be a good choice," the executive said, adding that his international long-haul experience would also be valuable.
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Will be interesting to see the direction he (continues) to take DJ, as it's been trying to position itself as a mid-point carrier (between no frills Jetstar and full service Qantas). Given John's former position, he will bring a lot to the table, but will need to innovate.

Now to contact Brett and get that drink we have been promising each other.
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

This is a very interesting move.

I hope this leads to QF being given a real run for its money in this country. Who knows, maybe DJ will finally be able to reemulate the competition that AN provided when it could (except with a more solid foundation to do so).

The main thing that QF needs is a kick to start real innovation again. The fact that its market position doesn't feel threatened is one reason that QF has failed to come up with revolutionary products and services for its customers.
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

Lindsay Wilson said:
Will be interesting to see the direction he (continues) to take DJ, as it's been trying to position itself as a mid-point carrier (between no frills Jetstar and full service Qantas). Given John's former position, he will bring a lot to the table, but will need to innovate.

Now to contact Brett and get that drink we have been promising each other.
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Actually my understanding is it's trying to position itself as a full service airline (with cheap seats). Thus the reason why they introduced PE with free meals \ drinks and free live 2 air. They are desperate to tap into the business market which QF right now enjoy, and yet keep on the right side of BFOD rules.

It wouldn't surprise me if they do introduce a full service Y product before it makes them attractive for the road warriors who's company insist on Y flights only.

This is probably the reason why the have an ex QF exec at the helm.

I do think they want to leave the LCC fliers to JQ and TT.
 
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anat0l said:
This is a very interesting move.

I hope this leads to QF being given a real run for its money in this country. Who knows, maybe DJ will finally be able to reemulate the competition that AN provided when it could (except with a more solid foundation to do so). ...
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Competition?

Ansett?

Competition?

Qantas[nee TAA]?

Competition?

"That AN provided"?

Hah! - there was effectively no competition through the 70's, 80's and most of the 90's.

Until deregulation happened from the 90's (CompassI/II, Impulse, DJ) AN and QF[/TN] had it to themselves - by law!

Google "The Two Airline System". In 1985 I flew on the the cheapest MEL/SYD return fare I could buy - it was $208!
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

There was not even competition when it came to schedules, with AN and QF (TAA) departing most cities within 5 minutes of each other.
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

serfty said:
Hah - there was effectively no competition until the late 90's with compass - google "The Two Airline System". In 1985 the cheapest MEL/SYD return fare was around $210!
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And of course according the RBA, $210 in 1985 would be around $494 in 2009... not arguing the merits or otherwise of RBA's inflation calculator, but this highlights how different things are, of course technology has played a role as well as competition, but still quite stark.

Oh btw, compass was early 1990's - I flew with them on day one - 1 Dec 1990, still have the certificate somewhere for being a "first day flyer".
 
Re: New Virgin Blue CEO announced today?

VB Media Release says he left Qantas in May 2008.

I thought he left May 2009 :!:
 
So the hint is, Virgin may well be aiming at full service status.
When Godfrey was questioned on radio this afternoon he refused to confirm or deny that this appointment was in line with the airline moving to full service status.

Interesting!
This appointment has more questions than answers.



"With the company poised to move to its next level, John is the right person to now lead Virgin Blue through that new phase of evolution," Virgin Blue chairman Neil Chatfield said in a statement today.

"If that's the way they're thinking and they want to attack more of the Australian corporate market, Borghetti would be a good choice," the executive said, adding that his international long-haul experience would also be valuable.


Full story:

Former Qantas executive John Borghetti wins top job at Virgin Blue | The Australian
 
I like others am fairly alarmed at the cancer that is the rampant Jetstarisation of QF, and hope that Borghetti will accelerate DJ's attempt to move upmarket and become an alternative premium Australian carrier to QF. The following quote is encouraging:

Virgin Blue picks Borghetti as its new CEO

Virgin Blue’s chairman, Neil Chatfield, said today that Mr Borghetti, a 36-year veteran of Qantas, was the right person to lead the airline ‘‘through the next phase of its evolution’’ because of his deep aviation experience and proven strategic capabilities.


Mr Borghetti, the 54-year-old who was overlooked for the top job at Qantas in 2008 in favour of Alan Joyce, said Virgin Blue was in good shape ‘‘and exceptionally well placed to build on its strengths and embrace revenue growth opportunities ahead’’.


His experience in running Qantas’s airline business could help Virgin Blue’s stalled efforts to capture a larger chunk of the high-yielding business market from Australia’s largest airline.
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