Qatar denied extra capacity into Australia

[RooFlyer]

Like many others here I do not believe that increasing QR flights will bring down airfares and even QR admit this.

As to whether it would materially increase tourism we would need to see the breakdown of people who fly QR to/from Aus.

If its just facilitating more overseas travel by Aussies then that is taking money out of our economy; vs if materially bringing more foreigners in. The ME is NOT a huge market for Aussie tourism, so it comes down to how many Europeans would choose a ME transit over an Asian one. Lets see the stats.

Tell you what; how about this:

* The government allows those airlines that want to provide services into and out of Australia to the Middle East to do so (complying safety etc etc); sorta like they do to other destinations;

* The public decides what they want to pay, who they want to fly with and all the rest;

* The airlines that can't convince enough people to fly with them (expensive or cough service) won't make money and will withdraw;

* The public is happy, the attractive airlines are happy, everyone else can just do their own thing and let others do theirs.

Deal?

 

[Quickstatus]

But they obviously want something in return for increasing their quota.

It's always been a quid pro quo signal to the Qataris

Hopefully the Senate Enquiry will get to the facts.

I've always been unimpressed with what Senate inquiries ever achieve

FYI most of my electronics are Samsung they closed all Chinese manufacturing in 2019

Excellent. Your personal decision likely made with thoughtful consideration .

As to whether it would materially increase tourism we would need to see the breakdown of people who fly QR to/from Aus.

Why not let the travelling public decide - their thoughtful decision?

 

[Lynda2475]

Why not let the travelling public decide - their thoughtful decision?

No one is stopping the travelling public flying QR, they already fly here. And given availability of tickets its not like their existing flights are 100% full.

The issue is whether they should be given more access on the extremely tenuous claim that it is of more benefit to Australians than not.

 

[CaptJCool]

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/activist-shoves-cream-pie-in-airline-ceos-face-in-europe/news-story/c0d73b7f7a90df67ecb100e97717d67d

How to increase your airlines' bookings...

 

[OATEK]

Tell you what; how about this:

* The government allows those airlines that want to provide services into and out of Australia to the Middle East to do so (complying safety etc etc); sorta like they do to other destinations;

* The public decides what they want to pay, who they want to fly with and all the rest;

* The airlines that can't convince enough people to fly with them (expensive or cough service) won't make money and will withdraw;

* The public is happy, the attractive airlines are happy, everyone else can just do their own thing and let others do theirs.

Deal?

Ha, in an ideal world you mean - I think I read about one of those in a book long ago, but never observed one.

I am sure that if Qatar really want those extra slots they will give the AU Government what they want. Can't help but feel their reluctance to do so tells part of the story.

 

[Quickstatus]

Can't help but feel their reluctance to do so tells part of the story

And the irony is they may come out of this in a much better position - get the extra rights after all, put the boot into QF, and maybe win the court case

 

[RooFlyer]

Ha, in an ideal world you mean - I think I read about one of those in a book long ago, but never observed one.

Well, its pretty much what happens on the North American route.

I am sure that if Qatar really want those extra slots they will give the AU Government what they want. Can't help but feel their reluctance to do so tells part of the story.

Early days yet. Ever since the refusal, the Australian Government has been in chaos over the decision, so if I were the Qataris, I'd just hang back and watch - which I reckon is what they are doing

 

[drron]

As to whether it would materially increase tourism we would need to see the breakdown of people who fly QR to/from Aus.

The QLD Government certainly believes it will. And after all that is what they have been doing adding extra services to QLD. just one of their releases.

Cathay Pacific is expanding from four to six direct services per week from Hong Kong to Brisbane International Airport from December 2023.
Cathay Pacific’s growth is backed by the Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) with Queensland’s international airports.
Cathay Pacific’s increased frequency will land 76,440 seats in Brisbane over the first year of operation and support for 840 good Queensland jobs.
The new flight schedule is predicted generate almost $158 million for the visitor economy over two years.

The $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment fund has secured 24 international services, delivering more than 1.81 million inbound seats a year, $1.35 billion for the State’s visitor economy and 16,800 good jobs.

Quotes attributable to Heidi Walker from Walker Seafoods:
“We’ve been hamstrung trying to get our exports onto planes due to the limited capacity. We don’t like trucking to Sydney, it’s not good for the product, it’s not reliable and it adds a long time and cost to the trip.
“More flights through Brisbane means we can export more, which means more employment for our staff here on the Sunshine Coast.”

$200 m war chest backs visitor economy and exports

 

[jakeseven7]

I don't know the truth. I don't believe anything anyone in Government is saying right now tbh. If we can't believe the words coming out of her mouth, which we can't, then it's simply a guess or assumption on everyone's part.

A super simplistic view of the situation and the inputs into the decision but like others have rightly pointed out, you believe what you want I suppose.

 

[cosi]

As to whether it would materially increase tourism we would need to see the breakdown of people who fly QR to/from Aus.

Increased capacity will bring in more international visitors especially the VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) GUARANTEED.

 

[Pushka]

A super simplistic view of the situation and the inputs into the decision but like others have rightly pointed out, you believe what you want I suppose.

You've quoted me. I don't believe anything coming out of the politicians mouths right now. So kinda pointless accusation. What are we up to - 10 reasons, maybe a couple of denials and a few changes in dates.

 

[justinbrett]

Five Eyes? Isn't that a bit of a stretch, even as a distraction?

Yeah - like I said, make the Middle East route like the Nth American route. Just let people get on with what they want. You get to fly to and with who you want, and we get to do what we want. Just what's your problem with that?

BTW, are you still going to use SYD, with its Qatari interest, and all that?

Canada doesn’t have open skies with us. Nor does most of Europe.

Open Skies is a treaty signed when its mutually beneficial. If VA flew to DOH that could well be possible. Right now, it’s a one sided deal.

 

[jakeseven7]

You've quoted me. I don't believe anything coming out of the politicians mouths right now. So kinda pointless accusation. What are we up to - 10 reasons, maybe a couple of denials and a few changes in dates.

Yes… so? It doesn’t mean other people with different interpretations to you as to what has driven the QR decision are wrong either.

 

[Pushka]

Yes… so? It doesn’t mean other people with different interpretations to you as to what has driven the QR decision are wrong either.

Of course. Until we know the facts, no one is wrong and no one is right. What we think is a fact one day is discounted within 24 hours by a further statement the next. What is denied one day, becomes a stated factor the next day. Hardly inspiring governance.

 

[serfty]

[moderator hat]

Other than acknowledging the occurrence in relation to the minister's decision, further specific discussion relative to what happened in Doha three years ago should be undertaken in the thread below, rather than cluttering this thread:​

Australian women on Qatar flight internally examined

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-25/passengers-invasively-searched-qatar-after-report-foetus-found/12811716 Reported today on several news outlets. Utterly horrific. Totally inexcusable. Can’t imagine the distress. Surely DNA cheek swabs could have been used instead if they were that...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

​

[/moderator hat]

This thread has become cluttered despite moderator directive since that referred thread was locked.

As a result is has been locked pending review.

[update]

Clutter Removed and this thread has been unlocked.

Other than comment directly in relation to the minister's decision that was the genesis of this thread, further discussion relating to what happened in Doha in 2020 will be expunged.​

[/update]

 

[RooFlyer]

Hello, hello. Is this yet another reason for the Minister refusing Qatar extra capacity?

AFR reports comments by Acting PM Marles

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has suggested that Qatar Airways not fully utilising its current access to secondary Australian airports was partially responsible for the Albanese government’s decision to block more flights.

Then this extraordinary statement:

“The decision goes to the question of our national aviation interests, in terms of how we increase our aviation access into this country,” he said, adding it was about how to “maximise access” into Australia.

“That’s the sole basis on which [Transport Minister Catherine King] has done that.”

Maximising access - the sole basis. Oh, dear.

Of course, someone might be unkind and point out to the APM that Qantas flies into fewer international 'secondary airports' than Qatar. But never mind. We now have the sole basis for the decision.

 

[Pushka]

Hello, hello. Is this yet another reason for the Minister refusing Qatar extra capacity?

AFR reports comments by Acting PM Marles



Then this extraordinary statement:



Maximising access - the sole basis. Oh, dear.

Of course, someone might be unkind and point out to the APM that Qantas flies into fewer international 'secondary airports' than Qatar. But never mind. We now have the sole basis for the decision.

Well that’s rather awkward.

 

[drron]

Hello, hello. Is this yet another reason for the Minister refusing Qatar extra capacity?

AFR reports comments by Acting PM Marles



Then this extraordinary statement:



Maximising access - the sole basis. Oh, dear.

Of course, someone might be unkind and point out to the APM that Qantas flies into fewer international 'secondary airports' than Qatar. But never mind. We now have the sole basis for the decision.

This now really smells like a bad attempt at a cover up.
Does anyone know how many regular International flights in or out of airports beside MEL, SYD, BNE or PER are operated by QFi.

 

[Daver6]

Hello, hello. Is this yet another reason for the Minister refusing Qatar extra capacity?

AFR reports comments by Acting PM Marles



Then this extraordinary statement:



Maximising access - the sole basis. Oh, dear.

Of course, someone might be unkind and point out to the APM that Qantas flies into fewer international 'secondary airports' than Qatar. But never mind. We now have the sole basis for the decision.

The comment about fully utilising access to secondary airports is also a bit rich. Remind me how well QF is utilising ADL for international flights again?

 

[Tiki]

I would like to see more discounts like these being offered here too!

Qatar Airways Ex-Europe Up To 14% Off Economy & Business Sale For Travel Through June 30, 2024 (Book By September 11)

Qatar Airways offers up to 15% off fares ex-Europe for travel through June 30, 2024. Book by September 11.

loyaltylobby.com

The more competition between airlines, the better!