Geoff Dixon slams critics

Recognised as being pretty outspoken and to the point, press releases from Qantas that feature Geoff Dixon are normally very terse and amazingly short, sometimes even two lines! 

Yesterday Geoff Dixon issued what appears to be a totally out of character multi page blast to the world that feels as if it was actually written by him and the PR guys were just told, send this out!

Go Geoff!

In the release, he slammed airport operators and overseas carriers over claims the airline is stifling competition, with Peter Costello saying he wanted to see more foreign planes flying into Australia, and Geoff Dixon saying that much of the debate surrounding the sale of Qantas was “hysterical” and “noise from the self-interested and ill-informed”.

His comments were also in response to the management of Melbourne and Brisbane airports writing this month to the Federal Government seeking the removal of access limits imposed on foreign airlines, with both airports arguing that Qantas is increasingly basing its international operations in Sydney, leading to a shortage of seats on the few flights are available and causing them to lose market share.

The Treasurer has appeared supportive of the idea, indicating he would like to see increased competition, saying “I would like to see increased flights from other airlines … the Government should not restrict those flights”.

Singapore Airlines has also stepped up its campaign to be allowed to fly direct between Australia and Los Angeles, a route currently serviced only by Qantas and United Airlines, with an SQ spokesperson saying “We don’t believe that Qantas should be protected from competition”, and “To suggest that the Australian Government should continue to provide this unnecessary protection to a company that may soon be owned and controlled by a multi-billion-dollar international consortium is beyond reason.”

In his lengthy release Mr Dixon simply slammed all of the criticism as “breathtaking in its hypocrisy” adding, “The most protected and privileged positions in Australian aviation are held by the unregulated monopoly airports that have increased charges by between 50% and 228% over the past six years.”

Regarding airlines, he said Australia was “already one of the most liberalised aviation markets in the world, with 43 international carriers flying in and out each week”, rejecting outright any suggestions that Qantas might receive favourable treatment from Sydney airport if the takeover from Airline Partners Australia was allowed to proceed, with Macquarie Bank would be a significant investor in both the airline and the airport.

He also said in the release, “From our experience, the owners of Sydney airport, including various Macquarie infrastructure funds, are solely interested in the performance of the airport and not its major client, Qantas.”

“This will not change due to Macquarie Bank’s limited interest in Qantas.”

The release continued……….!

The Mole is sure that Mr Dixon must feel better having gotten all that off his chest  – it needed to be said though!

Report by The Mole