Jetstar complains about Darwin costs

[arraitch]

Jetstar complains about Darwin costs - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The Darwin Airport chief executive says there is truth in Jetstar's complaint that the airport is the most expensive in the country, after the airline has reportedly said it cannot guarantee it will use the airport in future.

Could DYW be to DRW as AVV is to MEL?

 

[oz_mark]

Sounds like Jetstar's stock standard approach for airport negotiations.

 

[Mal]

Sounds like Jetstar's stock standard approach for airport negotiations.

Copied straight from Ryanair of course ....

They were posturing about the same thing in March while trying to negotiate a new contract, then signed a contract only a few days ago (at the same time increasing flights), now they're complaining again?

 

[samh004]

I’m sure we’d all appreciate less international connecting flights through DRW. Though we wouldn’t want them to completely pull out.

 

[oz_mark]

I’m sure we’d all appreciate less international connecting flights through DRW. Though we wouldn’t want them to completely pull out.

Where else are they going to put their hub? Most of the alternatives are going to be just as expensive, especially if they want an airport open at all hours of the day.

Either that or they need a new strategy.

 

[samh004]

Where else are they going to put their hub? Most of the alternatives are going to be just as expensive, especially if they want an airport open at all hours of the day.

Either that or they need a new strategy.

I don’t have all the answers, but I’m sure most here would rather not route through DRW and instead just fly direct from another port. That’s the impression I keep getting at least, maybe I’ve been reading it all wrong, and everyone loves stopping through DRW?

 

[oz_mark]

I don’t ave all the answers, but I’m sure most here would rather not route through DRW and instead just fly direct from another port. That’s the impression I keep getting at least, maybe I’ve been reading it all wrong, and everyone loves stopping through DRW?

I don't particularly like the DRW stopover, and in particular don't like it in the middle of the night. However, the A320's only have a certain flying distance, and there may not be enough traffic between various city pairs to justify dedicated routes. So fly everyone to Darwin, they have a little game of musical aircraft, and continue on to their destination.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I don’t have all the answers, but I’m sure most here would rather not route through DRW and instead just fly direct from another port.

+1. If they flew CNS-SIN direct and offered *class I might consider them. But I'm not waiting.

Cheers skip

 

[markis10]

The DRW hub works well, its a shortish flight to DRW, then 5 cities worth of passengers can join the flight to the final destination. There is not the traffic from each city to justify the flight direct if the aircraft could do it. DRW airport fees are pretty rich for what you get as far as facilities go, Tiger has similar issues.

 

[docjames]

Well done to the ABC for taking the negative approach (sarcasm).

What's lost in this report is that Jetstar are EXPANDING their Darwin "hub" with flights to MNL after coming to terms on costs. Sure, they may still be expensive, but not so bad that JQ cant expand.

Here's another view:

Jetstar to start Darwin to Manila flights

Jetstar has cleared the way for three flights a week to Manila, connecting with services from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane via Darwin, after at least temporarily resolving a standoff with Darwin Airport over alleged price-gouging
....


Until now, those charges have amounted to more than $80 for a return passenger trip, including security, representing the highest airport charges in Australia.
Jetstar's dispute with the airport had been running for two years, during which time the airline had threatened to move its north Australian hub to Broome.

It also mentions that DRW-SIN will drop to daily (from twice daily) as MEL-SIN comes online with the A330, so presumably that frees up the A320 to operate DRW-MNL.

 

[samh004]

I’d think they might do better from DRW if they could offer some form of StarClass too. I think they’d win more people over that way.

 

[kamchatsky]

I’d think they might do better from DRW if they could offer some form of StarClass too. I think they’d win more people over that way.

Not sure about that. Most people who flies via DRW are people who actually want to save money by flying LCC. Yes there are great SC earned if they offer *Class but most people don't care about that.

 

[markis10]

Not sure about that. Most people who flies via DRW are people who actually want to save money by flying LCC. Yes there are great SC earned if they offer *Class but most people don't care about that.

I agree, I suspect *class in general rarely is full of people who booked it, DRW onwards is very much Y territory, at the end of the day its not a long flight.

 

[samh004]

Not sure about that. Most people who flies via DRW are people who actually want to save money by flying LCC. Yes there are great SC earned if they offer *Class but most people don't care about that.

I agree, I suspect *class in general rarely is full of people who booked it, DRW onwards is very much Y territory, at the end of the day its not a long flight.

Shhh… Jetstar might read these forums, they could introduce StarClass if they think there’s demand

Sad that their plans are mainly for non-earn travellers in Y only, otherwise I think they’d pickup a lot of QF’s market share.

 

[markis10]

Shhh… Jetstar might read these forums, they could introduce StarClass if they think there’s demand

Sad that their plans are mainly for non-earn travellers in Y only, otherwise I think they’d pickup a lot of QF’s market share.

QF are trying to show growth for both airlines, not cannibalisation, although I do wonder sometimes.

 

[JohnK]

Sad that their plans are mainly for non-earn travellers in Y only, otherwise I think they’d pickup a lot of QF’s market share.

That is a big call saying that JQ could/would pick up a lot QF's market share.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Shhh… Jetstar might read these forums, they could introduce StarClass if they think there’s demand

Sad that their plans are mainly for non-earn travellers in Y only, otherwise I think they’d pickup a lot of QF’s market share.

I flew Star Class a few months ago. Nothing to rave about. As l have posted before, food on a SYD-PER in whY is better. Bigger seat, that's about it, oh, and J Status Credits

QF are trying to show growth for both airlines, not cannibalisation, although I do wonder sometimes.

Same here

That is a big call saying that JQ could/would pick up a lot QF's market share.

Yes, and don't forget, when QF drop a route, JQ steps in and soaks up the QF masses. OOL also got dropped by QF. I really feel sorry for people in NZ where QF have pulled out for good. I would be going for Air NZ *Gold.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I’d think they might do better from DRW if they could offer some form of StarClass too. I think they’d win more people over that way.

That might win me over. I avoid them like the plague otherwise - especially that new seat pitch.

Cheers skip

 

[Oneworldplus2]

That might win me over. I avoid them like the plague otherwise - especially that new seat pitch.

Cheers skip

The one that doesn't move? Like l had on PER-SYD last week, FIXED SEAT PITCH.

(OT: I also got "drop dusted" numerous times and gassed out, god damn bogans).

 

[xt_20]

The one that doesn't move? Like l had on PER-SYD last week, FIXED SEAT PITCH.

Agreed. I ended up booking D7/AK PER-KUL-SIN rather than endure the fixed seats on Jetstar. Got premium seats PER-KUL and it worked out cheaper too than the direct red-eye JQ flight with no reclining seats.