QF to pull out of CNS?

[ozbeachbabe]

How long will it be before QF axes all remaining mainline flights to/from CNS?

There are no more international QF flights (QF metal) ex CNS after all flights to Japan were handed to Jetstar and as JQ have their own staff QF are not the ground handling agent.

They have also lost a considerable amount of flights CNS to BNE / SYD / MEL to JQ.

You would think that after losing their own international flights they would be trying to get/retain any business possible from client airlines to avoid staff redundancies so what do they do?

Increase their handling charges for client airlines by 65% and refuse to talk to the airline whose contract expires 30 June.

Now a cynical person could easily make the assumption that QF don't want to sign any contracts with client airlines perhaps because if they were to pull out of CNS in favour of JQ they wouldn't want any contracts they were suddenly unable to fulfil being a fly in the ointment.

CNS currently has an umemployment level double the state average with tourism and construction two of the industries feeling the pinch. The local Centrelink office has had to employ 50 more staff to cope with the 25% increase in people applying for unemployment benefits.

So now that retrenchments have already begun how long will it be before there's no Qantas staff in CNS? :?: :?:

 

[anat0l]

Let's hope not. There's at least a couple of people here who will be seeing red if that does happen.

Besides, there are still milk run route flights, some mining industry flights/connections (this is one of the reasons why QF hasn't pulled out of TSV) plus flights to North Queensland and PNG to consider. Small-ish fish, but still.

In saying all this, the flights to and from CNS as they stand (no matter how scarce) appear to still be getting reasonable load factors. Whether these are loss leaders or profitable routes to QF is a whole different kettle of fish.

 

[bambbbam2]

I think they have also scrapped the PER-CNS vv flights..

 

[Mal]

The correlation between places like Hamilton Island, Gold Coast and even New Zealand vs Cairns are uncanny.

Yep, I think the Qantas days are numbered. Can't wait to see the nice shiny (and newly renovated) Jetstar Cairns lounge opening.

"Please Sir, can you let me in? Here's my Qantas Club/Gold/Plat Card and $25."
"Certainly. Are you interested in Jetstar Club Lounge membership? Only $295/year."

-- don't laugh people!

 

[aus_flyer]

I think they have also scrapped the PER-CNS vv flights..

Quite some time ago.

 

[possumoz]

Besides, there are still milk run route flights, some mining industry flights/connections (this is one of the reasons why QF hasn't pulled out of TSV) plus flights to North Queensland and PNG to consider. Small-ish fish, but still.

In saying all this, the flights to and from CNS as they stand (no matter how scarce) appear to still be getting reasonable load factors. Whether these are loss leaders or profitable routes to QF is a whole different kettle of fish.

Qantas added extra flights TSV-BNE late last year. My observation (from seemingly endless hurtlings to and fro) is that most flights are well filled, the only exception being J class which appears to have dropped off the last couple of months for some of the off peak flights.

 

[anat0l]

Qantas added extra flights TSV-BNE late last year. My observation (from seemingly endless hurtlings to and fro) is that most flights are well filled, the only exception being J class which appears to have dropped off the last couple of months for some of the off peak flights.

That may partially explain my op-up.

 

[Groundfeeder]

Let's hope not. There's at least a couple of people here who will be seeing red if that does happen.

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO:evil::evil::evil:

I've done some 40+ flights to/from Cairns this financial year with about the same to come. The only time I was forced to use Deathstar was memorable and by far was the worst I've had on this track.

The QF pax loads always seem high in the afternoon flights I favour and if you're unfortunate to take the last QF flight BNE - CNS, you may be lucky to get in your digs before midnite - guaranteed on Deathstar. Deathstar timetable is 3 out of 9 QF flights BNE - CNS and 3 out of 7 CNS - BNE.

If Cairns is considered a LCC port, Tiger would have been there some time ago.

 

[jaffa]

I don't think there's anything to worry about.

Cairns will come back up to status given some time, it always does. It also has a unique set of positives that international & domestic tourists love.
But it is an obvious choice to cut back on while incoming tourist no's are low.

I think the present QF/CNS position is only temp and will improve as the ecconomy heats up. I do think QF should remember that CNS has played a very important role in the success of the company over a long period of time. For both parties benefit.
I think QF sometimes forgets that. Even using basic business principles.

Being based in Townsville l am always suprised with, on the day of travel l can buy J seats, be allocated row 1 and J always seems to be full. The same can be said for me with BNE-TSV as well. There are 5, 2 class services each way.


I am a QFF SG and when you travel often and know and respect your locally based QF ground staff and they ditto back to you.
Because it's a regional setup for QF here, it's a small dedicated Team spread between the airport/QC and the city office.
I have got to know them all and they are a great bunch of people who do their job well.

I think the Townsville QC is one of the best domestic QC's in the country for service and for ambience. It is quiet and reserved and always very welcoming.

FA's continually tell me that Townsville is the best for regional catering and they always have the best food out of TSV. I must agree with them, the meal flights TSV-BNE-TSV-BNE are always very plesant experiences. They do a great breakfast and a great dinner, It's one of those flights (2hrs) thats worth blowing 7000 QF points to do an ODU to J.

The BNE-CNS-BNE flights are also in the same catagory as above but the food is not as good.
I like both of these flights and they have great views for daytime flying.

I only need a couple of returns to SYD or MEL in paid J and a couple of paid econ returns with points ODU's to maintain Gold and enjoy the whole experience.

Cairns and Townsville will survive on our merits because we are important to QF.