Qantas CFO responds to recent criticism

[markis10]

It has been said that for every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong.
There is a never a shortage of armchair experts with theories on how to run Qantas, and the cabin has been crowded recently.
Over the past five years, Qantas has been navigating through a complex and cutthroat environment. Oil prices have reached record levels. The world economy has been subdued. We've seen Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, who can do things a lot cheaper, expand into our markets.




Read more: Armchair critics take flight of fancy on future of the air

 

[OATEK]

Very much a corporate policy view. The idea that QANTAS loves its staff, and the staff love QANTAS as they work together to drive customer satisfaction reflects this. You don't have to travel with QF too often to realise lots of the staff don't love the organisation, and many knowledgeable critics argue that staff costs (incl perks) are a very big contributor to their woes.

One advantage of the armchair critic is they have a bit of distance, whereas this sounds very much like he is the apologist for QF Board and management.

 

[smatho10]

Somebody has been watching mythbusters while penning this... "Busted"

 

[craven morehead]

Gareth Evans CFO ???

 

[markis10]

Gareth Evans CFO ???

Since 2010.

 

[williamsf1]

Qantas CFO hits out at 'armchair' critics | News.com.au

same story on news.com ...

 

[markis10]

Qantas CFO hits out at 'armchair' critics | News.com.au
T be
same story on news.com ...

Perhaps both articles should be labelled advertorial, QF PR must be loving it!

 

[Edge]

I always cringe when I read a Tony Weber article about Qantas. As their former chief economist (until 2011 I believe) surely he was one of the key people that led the organisation into it's current predicament.

 

[Major]

But Mr Evans said Qantas wasn't a "lazy company seeking a government handout" and simply wanted the government to level the playing field with Virgin.

So what government advantage is Virgin receiving that Qantas is not ?

 

[sergeyvzn]

It would be silly to expect a statement different from the company's official stand on the current situation, wouldn't it? In fact, this article should not be seen as anything other than a corporate PR exercise.

 

[moa999]

But Mr Evans said Qantas wasn't a "lazy company seeking a government handout" and simply wanted the government to level the playing field with Virgin.
So what government advantage is Virgin receiving that Qantas is not ?

- Being allowed to have 70% + foreign airline shareholders while still operating (albeit owning under a different structure) an Australian International airline
- Not having restrictions on board of directors (2/3 Australian), chairman, facilities in aggregate being in Australia

Read the QSA
Qantas Sale Act 1992

 

[Major]

- Being allowed to have 70% + foreign airline shareholders while still operating (albeit owning under a different structure) an Australian International airline
- Not having restrictions on board of directors (2/3 Australian), chairman, facilities in aggregate being in Australia

Read the QSA
Qantas Sale Act 1992

Forgotten about that...thank you

 

[yohy?!]

- Being allowed to have 70% + foreign airline shareholders while still operating (albeit owning under a different structure) an Australian International airline
- Not having restrictions on board of directors (2/3 Australian), chairman, facilities in aggregate being in Australia

Read the QSA
Qantas Sale Act 1992

These are mainly applicable to QFi aren't they? QFi vs VAi is really not an issue in terms of level playing field I would have thought?

 

[elbarto]

These are mainly applicable to QFi aren't they? QFi vs VAi is really not an issue in terms of level playing field I would have thought?

No. QF can't replicate VA's structure and remain compliant.

 

[Timba-Jet]

While, the general statement that running an airline is complex and not as simple as us armchair critics make it out I Respect.

It goes downhill from there: How does the comparison of 'for every additional flight VA adds, QF will add 2' compare to the analogy of Woolworths shutting down stores.

 

[amaroo]

Would have been better it he left this out IMHO.....

"They include Tony Webber, a former Qantas finance employee, who was retrenched several years ago."

Showed his hand with that statement! Mr Webber may well be the biggest tool in the hanger......but why put him front and centre of your speech/article/cry for help!

 

[moa999]

Agree that the singling out of "retrenched" employee MR Webber was poor form.


That said definitely agree with the fact that having frequency - ie peak hour flights every 15/30 min does help to ensure yield premium with business travellers who are happy to pay the premium for flexible flights and dont want to be waiting at the airport.

 

[Clivem]

Coles Myer under John Fletcher .......Qantas under Alan Joyce ........similar trajectories ?

it took showing John "I've hardly every been in a supermarket" Fletcher the door and Westfarmers buying the sink ship to turn that one around ..........

 

[sydstar]

Whilst the QF books might show JQ has "been profitable in every year of its existence", I'm still very cynical if JQ is paying for everything! When I vist a QF lounge on a JQ flight, is JQ paying? How about maintenance of the 330s? Lease at MEL/BNE/ADL?

Look at the latest QF sale on the website. To get to SGN, they're directing pax through SIN and then onto 3K to get to SGN. You won't earn QFF points on the 3K leg, any QFF status will be ignored, and you'll probably have to fork out $10 for a sandwich, but that's the QF 'premium' experience.

Almost as premium as a 25 year old 767 with the 'gourmet' corn chips and salsa, while the 787s run the glorified bus service to DPS :evil:

And for staff engagement - there are some absolute gems out there, but all it takes is one dragon to leave a lasting impression

 

[medhead]

No. QF can't replicate VA's structure and remain compliant.

Yes, they can replicate the structure. Just the QSA restricts the qantas domestic ownership as well. Really the unlevel playing field is the qantas sales act not the things virgin are doing.

Whilst the QF books might show JQ has "been profitable in every year of its existence", I'm still very cynical if JQ is paying for everything! When I vist a QF lounge on a JQ flight, is JQ paying?

No they don't pay for the lounge. That was the information provided at the last qantas sponsored Rockpool lunch.