17 February 2009

Another day, another Qantas delay

MELBOURNE ââ¬' It was hardly the best introduction to Australia when dozens of buyers attending the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meeting Expo (AIME) were treated to delays and considerable inconvenience when they arrived in Melbourne last Saturday.

AIME brings hundreds of high-profile international travel buyers into Australia, industry leaders who have the potential to book millions of dollars of business for hotels, tour operators, car and coach rental companies, venue operators, caterers, event organisers and others.

A wildcat strike by Qantas baggage handlers at Melbourne Airport left some passengers either without their luggage on arrival or ââ¬' in TravelMoleââ¬â¢s case ââ¬' waiting around for a delayed domestic flight to Melbourne for four hours.

At a time when volunteer firefighters were still clearing up the remnants of the devastating bushfires in Victoria, it was an especially callous call by the baggage handlers to strike at this time.

For Qantas, a bad 2008 is not turning out to be a good 2009.

So much so, that the Herald Sunin Melbourne reveals that Qantas is set to slash prices and emotionally appeal to Australians to support the national carrier.

Speaking in London, Qantas executive John Borghetti said that not since the SARS flu scare seven years ago had the airline embarked on such a large campaign to remind people about the Flying Kangaroo brand.

Borghetti conceded the airline's reputation had suffered in the past 12 months and the recession had dampened demand for travel.

He said the airline was going all out to give price deals such as two-for-one airline tickets, kids fly free offers and general price slashing, particularly ahead of the delivery of its fourth A380 in May.

• PRINT
• SEND TO A FRIEND
• SHARE

Post your comment

Your Comments (3)

, be the first to post a comment.
Your email:

Your comment title:


Your comment:

Email other comments made to this story

5 characters

• Public perception of Costa
  
  

  Unfortunately, this association will pitch Costa at the wrong end of the market place as far as I can see. Becoming bed mates with a company which appears to be so lacking in the basic niceties of reasonable customer care levels will tar Costa with the same brush, which unfortunately is not the case, as I find them a good company to work with.

  By Gordon Young, Tuesday, February 17, 2009
• QANTAS under staffed
  
  

  On returning from ATF in Vietnam I had to transit SYD. NEVER AGAIN...delays in Immigration, Customs and then the long walk to QF transit with just 3 staff to handle a massive queue of mainly overseas visitors. The poor staff tried their best with VERY irate pax and did a great job and it was so obvious they were totally under staffed ... Welcome overseas visitors to Australia and QANTAS !! First impressions count and then we wonder why tourism is down ... after 35+ years in the business I could really give a few answers... Basically we are just not up to the expected international standards of tourism Ken Coulter COULTER GOODALL TOURS info@cgtours.com

  By Ken COULTER, Tuesday, February 17, 2009
• Qantas Appeal
  
  

  If Qantas are to appeal to our Aussie emotions for support they need to lift their game. Service on the ground and more importantly in the air has fallen behind other carriers at an alarming rate and the general " Don't care, she'll be right " attitude will not be enough.

  By johncook, Monday, February 16, 2009