Virgin Blue gets approval for US flights

[oz_mark]

From The Australian

Virgin Blue gets approval for US flights | Aviation | The Australian

VIRGIN Blue plans to launch a long-haul international airline on US routes have been given a green light by the airline¿s board as Australia¿s second biggest carrier yesterday upgraded its net profit forecast by 40 per cent to more than $158 million.

Virgin said the revised forecast followed an improvement in market conditions and the airline’s performance as the result of initiatives launched last year.

The airline said it would now begin a planning and implementation phase of its plan to fly wide-body aircraft to the US and possibly some Asian destinations.

 

[Yada Yada]

And SQ is not happy!

But Virgin Blue's delay of long-haul services - most likely to Los Angeles - from early to late 2008 drew an angry response from Singapore Airlines.

"Almost a year after the Government rejected Singapore Airlines' bid to fly between Australia and the USA, with all the benefits it would bring, consumers will now be waiting at least another two full years before there's any new competition on that route," Singapore Air said in a statement.

Link to story

 

[SeaWolf]

SIA is just sour cause it had a go at bribery to get access but found out this isn't Singapore and things don't work that way here.
Business Report - Singapore Airlines accused of bribery

Australian Labor Party tourism spokesman Martin Ferguson on Thursday criticised SIA for offering an all expenses paid four-day trip to Singapore to the 10 members of the House of Representatives' transport and regional affairs committee.

 

[kpc]

SIA is just sour cause it had a go at bribery to get access but found out this isn't Singapore and things don't work that way here.
Business Report - Singapore Airlines accused of bribery

I wonder why then would Qantas have "Chairman's Lounge" members??
...a level above QF platinum which is the highest its most frequent and loyal customers can attain. Who does QF invite to join?:evil: Not me or you...

 

[Gazza]

SIA is just sour cause it had a go at bribery to get access but found out this isn't Singapore and things don't work that way here.

Singapore has built an entire economy on being a good place to do business in a transparent open enviroment with little corruption and the even application of the rule of law.

Australia has major issues with corruption.

Your post is very funny.

You were being humourous right?

Gazza

 

[NYCguy]

I wonder why then would Qantas have "Chairman's Lounge" members??
...a level above QF platinum which is the highest its most frequent and loyal customers can attain. Who does QF invite to join?:evil: Not me or you...

I was going to post "Yeah... no Australian pollie has ever been given a free upgrade by QF!", but I forgot all about the CL! Maybe Martin Ferguson has even had an invite? Wonder what the rank-and-file comrades would make of that?:shock:

And may I remind you, lest we forget, that John Anderson was referred to by certain wags in the media as "The Minister for Qantas" during his tenure at the Federal Transport Ministry.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

who can forget the earlier free skies debacle?