Qantas to fly Melbourne to Burnie

[dylarr]

Qantas has announced it is launching direct flights between Melbourne and Burnie from June 21st. There will be 7 return flights each week. Using the Q300. Last time they flew to Bernie was 15 years ago.

Source:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-heads-back-to-burnie/

Interesting as Burnie is quite close to Devonport which is already well serviced by QantasLink (1 hour drive airport to airport, or 35 minutes from town to town). Qantas must be seeing good loads on MEL - DPO to be able to justify this - good news for northern Tasmania.

Queue obligatory commentary from Rex in 3.. 2.. 1..

 

[Mattg]

One for @drron, perhaps?

I can hear Rex complaining already.

 

[TheInsider]

Qantas must be seeing good loads on MEL - DPO to be able to justify this - good news for northern Tasmania.

Queue obligatory commentary from Rex in 3.. 2.. 1..

I think it's just to piss off Rex some more!

 

[dajop]

I think it's just to piss off Rex some more!

So how long before QF start services to Ceduna, Cooper Pedy, and Broken Hill? They must be the next destinations in their sights. Can't help but think this is very strategic, and nothing to do with loads. That's what competition is all about, may the strongest survive, and the @#(&*# everyone over after the competitors depart the market.

How long before it is game, set, match to Qanstar?

 

[drron]

Unfortunately not.All my BWT flying is in the past.Basically I work now in Launceston and Latrobe where I am well regarded.
Burnie got a few home truths 5 years ago and I haven't been back.Fine by me though.

 

[TheInsider]

So how long before QF start services to Ceduna, Cooper Pedy, and Broken Hill? They must be the next destinations in their sights. Can't help but think this is very strategic, and nothing to do with loads. That's what competition is all about, may the strongest survive, and the @#(&*# everyone over after the competitors depart the market.

How long before it is game, set, match to Qanstar?

QF just need some more smaller aircraft if they want to keep doing what they are doing though. Not enough Q300s and 400's.

Melbourne is really becoming quite a large Qantaslink hub.

 

[jakeseven7]

Interesting move, Burnie / DPO was always hard to manage but now with the domestic tourism boom there’s probably some room to move back in again.

I heard they are busily converting the last couple of Jetstar painted Q300s for this which is great.

Rex has also been flying via KI to try and pick up more $$/passengers on their Burnie services to will be interesting to see if the brand of QF will help stimulate demand on the route. So many beautiful things to see in NW Tassie!

 

[AIRwin]

$125 launch fare sale ends tonight

 

[drron]

Local businesses aren't entirely convinced it is a good move.

Qantas's return to Burnie met with mixed response

"We don't want to end up in six months without an airline."

www.theadvocate.com.au

 

[93Revisited]

Lived in Devonport in the early eighties and the airlines often flew DPO - WYN - MEL. It was only about a 15 min flight but the scenery at low level was awesome. The Burnie people will hate me but Wynyard airport is about as close to Burnie as you need to go.

 

[drron]

Lived in Devonport in the early eighties and the airlines often flew DPO - WYN - MEL. It was only about a 15 min flight but the scenery at low level was awesome. The Burnie people will hate me but Wynyard airport is about as close to Burnie as you need to go.

That's OK as having worked in both Latrobe and Burnie the people in Burnie really dislike those from Devonport.

 

[AIRwin]

$125 launch fare sale ends tonight

Back to $179

 

[dajop]

Local businesses aren't entirely convinced it is a good move.

Qantas's return to Burnie met with mixed response

"We don't want to end up in six months without an airline."

www.theadvocate.com.au

Back to $179

I have noticed (just picked two routes at random, MEL-WGA and MEL-MGB),

In the next week, Rex fares available $129 (community fare that existed well prior to QF entering the routes), QF $190. The following week Rex $168 (community fares need to be booked either well in advance or within a week of travel), Qantas still $190.

Rex have several other fares for purchase on their website, Qantas jumps straight to fully flex fare(although I assume there are in between fares available for purchase via TA). The fully flex fares come at about $40-$50 cheaper on Rex than Qantas ($400 vs $400-450) and this comes with a cancellation penalty of $33 on Rex and $99 on Qantas (is this right?)

I suspect whilst QF competitition does not seem to be impacting the lowest fare available, it might have an impact on average fares(?) . But doesn't seem quite to be the big competition boost that many make out. It remains to be seen whether these many routes (now> 10) that all of a sudden are deemed to be able to support competition (despite not being able to in the last 15-20 years) , can continue to support competition in the long run. If they can, great, everyone is a winner. If not I think we all know who the winners and losers in this are going to be.

 

[Mattg]

Queue obligatory commentary from Rex in 3.. 2.. 1..

Looks like the current turnaround time is now one business day.

Rex just put out a media release "Rex welcomes watchdog scrutiny on capacity dumping" which mentions MEL-BWT.

“Just last week, Qantas was at it again unveiling plans for Melbourne – Burnie flights, a marginal route at the best of times and certainly not one which can be viably serviced by two operators,” Mr Sharp said.

https://www.rex.com.au/BlobViewer/BlobViewer.aspx?attachtype=MR&filename=716E3575736453334834743877514E514B36567A474F6334677A4E68435772786D66397559614375524E7A5149397274474473426171316E344734456F4C6D44524F483342446C7A63757830654C4C6F6D6A545654773D3D

 

[jakeseven7]

Rexy keeps on forgetting it’s not the olden days.... there is a domestic tourism boom right now.

QF has a massive marketing machine behind it to drive these previous ‘marginal’ routes and the power of QFF as well. They well may have been bad business routes even 1 year ago but times change.

 

[TheInsider]

I have noticed (just picked two routes at random, MEL-WGA and MEL-MGB),

In the next week, Rex fares available $129 (community fare that existed well prior to QF entering the routes), QF $190. The following week Rex $168 (community fares need to be booked either well in advance or within a week of travel), Qantas still $190.

You have to remember QF's main target is those off connecting flights into MEL and out of MEL. The majority of people going to ABX, DPO, HBA seem to be majority connections from other ports. Sometimes 60-70% of the flight are from connections.
For an example a few days ago MEL-ABX, about 20 passengers on board and about 18 were from other inbound connections. So whilst they are trying to get the people flying out of MEL direct, there is a lot of indirect competition that REX can't offer.

 

[docjames]

Timed to start just prior to (government) school holidays and at the start of some private school holidays.

Will be interesting to see how the QF schedule holds up outside school Holidays.

 

[drron]

You have to remember QF's main target is those off connecting flights into MEL and out of MEL. The majority of people going to ABX, DPO, HBA seem to be majority connections from other ports. Sometimes 60-70% of the flight are from connections.
For an example a few days ago MEL-ABX, about 20 passengers on board and about 18 were from other inbound connections. So whilst they are trying to get the people flying out of MEL direct, there is a lot of indirect competition that REX can't offer.

Though in the case of BWT Rex did interline with VA for baggage.I flew quite a few times using this MCY-BWT.I did learn though to check the bags when fling BWT-MCY as Rex were not efficient as VA with the interlining.

 

[jakeseven7]

Timed to start just prior to (government) school holidays and at the start of some private school holidays.

Will be interesting to see how the QF schedule holds up outside school Holidays.

Alot of very rich farmers in that catchment that do business in VIC quite frequently... and many I know are not a fan of Rexy!

 

[Melburnian1]

You have to remember QF's main target is those off connecting flights into MEL and out of MEL. The majority of people going to ABX, DPO, HBA seem to be majority connections from other ports. Sometimes 60-70% of the flight are from connections.
For an example a few days ago MEL-ABX, about 20 passengers on board and about 18 were from other inbound connections. So whilst they are trying to get the people flying out of MEL direct, there is a lot of indirect competition that REX can't offer.

Why would any local fly from MEL to ABX or return on QFd or ZL when it's an easy drive from Melbourne suburbs to Albury/Wodonga, or convenient to catch the twice daily each way NSW TrainLink XPT train (normally three hours 15 minutes on improved, smoother tracks), or slower V/Line trains three times a day each way? Both rail operators stop at Broadmeadows for anyone to or from the northern or other suburbs who finds it more convenient than Southern Cross.

By the time one travels to the airport (allowing time for traffic delays plus airport parking and shuttle bus if an outwards journey, or using Skybus/route 901 public bus), minimum check in times, flight time and travelling to one's destination in ABX or MEL, air is uncompetitive, and far more expensive than driving or rail.

ZL is promoting its 'through fares' from say Mt Gambier to Albury but agree that's a much smaller market than Adelaide to Albury.