Bad Timing for Qantas
Voting by Qantas pilots on a new enterprise bargaining agreement is taking place this week and sources suggest that pilots may reject the deal.
Qantas pilots are angry about the proposed set up of Jetstar International and moves by Qantas to open an overseas base in Singapore.
Pilot leaders of the Australian and International Pilots Association’s 40-member committee of management have said that Qantas can expect hard bargaining.
New Chairman of the Association, Captain Ian Woods, who will take his seat on November 7, said that the airline has attempted to force new conditions on pilots which he thinks will backfire and be rejected.
Captain Woods said, “Should it be defeated, as I believe it will be, then I take office on November 7 and we will then have to commence new negotiations with the company on a frank and open basis”. He added, “The cosy relationship is over”.
Qantas’ base for second officers in Singapore would provide significant cost reductions on the highly competitive kangaroo route.
In addition, Qantas has also flagged starting a new two class, long-haul and low cost carrier, Jetstar International, which is proclaimed to be a leisure service operating on leisure routes previously not viable for Qantas itself.
Not surprisingly, Qantas CEO, Geoff Dixon has rejected outright industry source reports that Qantas in due course will pass over parts of Qantas to Jetstar International, significantly reducing the legacy carrier’s costs.
Pilots are also worried the effect the new carrier will have on job security and conditions, the vote coming at a time when QF is clearly saying that things are going to change at the carrier.
Report by The Mole
Graham Muldoon
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025