Are the new claims that Qantas may be sold off to foreign hands media-hype, baseless speculation or political game playing? Call it what you will, but there must be at least a grain of truth in new speculation that Qantas may be sold off to foreign investors. Official take-over talks have taken place involving a consortium led by Australia's largest investment bank, the Macquarie Bank, and a foreign business marauder. However, many of the key players are remaining very 'hush-hush' about the whole affair and are refusing media requests for interviews.

Shares in Qantas� mostly held by small investors have soared 15 per cent. However, no firm offer has yet been made for a stake in Qantas, which market analysts say is worth almost $11 billion.

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile has promised the Government would never let Qantas fall into foreign hands. "Obviously, with the foreign ownership cap, there will always be a majority Australian ownership of Qantas," Mr Vaile said. Foreign investors are limited to no more than 49 per cent of Qantas, while individuals are restricted to holding no more than 25 per cent. But Macquarie and Texas Pacific are said to be offering a way around the roadblock. The proposal is believed to involve Macquarie and various associates each taking a 25 per cent stake in Qantas.

Any bid involving foreigners must be signed off by federal Treasurer Peter Costello, who is also refusing to comment. The media will undoubtedly continue to speculate and the public are likely to be kept in the dark until a deal is negotiated, signed and actioned.

Concerns over Qantas Take-Over

Our members are GENERALLY UNHAPPY amidst new speculation that Qantas may be taken over by a foreign company. One member states �This country should be renamed to Macquarie Corp�.

Australians are very Frequent Flyers Statistics show 42.5 million people caught domestic flights in Australia last year. Our members DISCUSS how greater competition and lower prices have increased domestic travel nation-wide. Refund Hassle One new member was told it would take several weeks to be refunded money incorrectly charged to his credit card by Jetstar. Fellow members OFFER THEIR TIPS and advice on how to tear through the administrative chaos. Jetstar Safety Jetstar Safety Tempers flare as one member suggests that Jetstar compromise training, maintenance and safety standards to provide low-cost airfares. Tell us what you think HERE.

Picking the Silent Seats

One member asks which seats on an aircraft are the quietest. OUR MEMBERS EXPLAIN that the air-conditioning, the engine and the galley can all contribute to the noise-factor and make some helpful suggestions on where to sit.

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Ozjet's Second Chance

If you blinked you may have missed Ozjet's short-lived aviation career, but they are back and have been granted exclusive access to a route linking Perth and Derby. The jet service will run three return flights each week and will begin operating in February. Ozjet has negotiated an arrangement with three local mining companies to guarantee the viability of the service. 

Australian watchdog quashes Qantas, Air New Zealand cooperation deal

Australia's consumer watchdog has rejected a cooperation accord between Qantas and Air New Zealand, believing the deal would kill competition on Australia-New Zealand routes.

The two operators already carry 80 percent of passengers across the Tasman Sea. Air New Zealand and Qantas had planned to co-ordinate all flight activities, including regular meetings to determine schedules and ticket prices.

However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said in a draft decision that such an agreement would "fundamentally change the competitive process" since the two airlines already dominate these routes.

Federal Government Refuses to Lift Ban The Australian Infrastructure Fund has called on the Federal Government to remove regulatory barriers which have prevented a string of international airlines securing access to Melbourne Airport in the last year. The government has rejected applications from Vietnam Airlines and Qatar Airlines to land passenger craft at Melbourne Airport and the AIF believes this has hurt passenger traffic at Tullamarine. The AIF claim that the lack of new carriers to enter the market is a major factor in the decline of international passenger numbers. The government has so far refused their application.

Christmas Strikes Barred

Airline baggage handlers have been barred from taking strike action that could disrupt the Christmas travel plans of thousands of passengers.

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has slapped a three-month ban on strikes by the handlers after Qantas asked it to intervene following a two-hour stoppage at Sydney airport.

But their union warned that if its concerns were not addressed, services over the Christmas period would be jeopardised anyway by workers off sick or injured.

US Airways New Policy

US Airways have told their frequent flyers that they could lose miles if they do not use their accounts by 31 January. The new rule requires program members add or subtract miles from their account at least once in 18 months to keep the miles from expiring. The airline said members could have their miles reinstated by paying a $50 "processing fee" and a "reactivation fee". If the account is not used for 36 months, it will be closed.

It's been a long-time coming, but Jetstar's long haul flight service has finally taken off. Jetstar's first Bangkok- bound international flight was farewelled in celebratory style at Melbourne's international airport last month. Jetstar will fly long haul to seven international destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Honolulu and Osaka and Nagoya in Western Japan.

Key features of Jetstar's international services include:

• Two classes of service including Starclass, Jetstar's business class

• A Qantas codeshare arrangement on all flights

• Connectivity of Jetstar passengers and their luggage between Jetstar international services and Qantas international and domestic services.

• Assigned seating with online seat selection

• Qantas frequent flyer points and status credit points earned on Jetflex and Starclass fares.

• Qantas lounge access for Qantas club members

• Qantas frequent flyer redemptions on all flights.

Whether Jetstar international lives up to the hype and delivers all the promised benefits is yet to be determined. One member has already complained of Jetstar's refusal to accept AMEX on their website. Fresh claims have also arisen that Jetstar International fares are already aligned with Qantas fares, thus removing the �budget' from budget travel. We eagerly await your trip reports and verdict on the new service.

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FOOTNOTE:

Last week, I had the pleasure of hearing Noemi Liba perform live in Melbourne. Noemi is an incredibly talented local musician -  �One of Australia's true innovative talents� according to Allan Zavod, ex Frank Zappa Band.

Check out her website (www.noemiliba.com) to sample her evocative and original compositions. And if you're looking for Christmas gift for someone who appreciates world-class but local music, consider purchasing her mini album for just $14.95 directly from her website.