During the week QF480, a Qantas Boeing 767-300 bound for Melbourne had to return to Perth after a water tank ruptured about 30 minutes into the flight, leaving toilets and washbasins without any water.

The airplane landed back in Perth 80 minutes after departure, and the flight was cancelled.

This was a watery follow-on to last Sunday’s unplanned landing in Adelaide of a Sydney to Perth flight due to the airplane departing Sydney without emptying its toilets.

The next ‘Gruen Transfer’ challenge could well be to try and sell more seats on Qantas and use the growing negativity to a winning advantage! There is plenty of scope for toilet humour and water torture images….

Qantas has reported a record pre-tax profit of $1.4 billion for the year ending June 30, up by over 40 per cent on the previous year.  Qantas anticipates its fuel bill to rise by more than $1.6 billion in 2008/09, so this does provide some perspective.

Chief executive designate Alan Joyce said the flexibility of the airline, with its two brands Qantas and budget carrier Jetstar, would help Qantas to overcome the challenges.

Whilst there has been strong demand for flights, passengers continuing to be stranded at airports will only foster the growing perception that Qantas is heading the way of the NSW Railways (delays & breakdowns!).

Higher fuel prices, late delivery of new airplanes and the potential for reduced levels of customer demand (due to factors including maintenance issues & delays) will provide an interesting stage for the incoming CEO.

A Report By The Mole