Qantas puts the brakes on
A report in the Adelaide Advertiser by Melvin Mansell says that it is a matter of concern that, according to the chief executive of the South Australian Tourist Commission, Andrew McEvoy, Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, is hampering SA’s bid to win a greater slice of the international tourist market.
Mr McEvoy says Adelaide has the most under-serviced airport of any capital city in Australia and that SA needs more international access.
He has been backed by the trade development manager of Tourism Australia, Matt Cameron-Smith, who says more flights are a critical factor in boosting international tourism.
Adelaide has 26 direct international flights a week, compared with 80 in Perth and more than 100 in Brisbane.
Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand each has more direct flights in and out of Adelaide than Qantas.
Clearly, without an increase in international flights, Adelaide is missing opportunities to be the port of first choice or the final departure point for visitors returning overseas.
Qantas may argue that there is only limited demand for direct flights – but why do four other carriers find Adelaide a satisfactory direct flight destination?
There is a case for SA’s federal MPs and the State Government to lobby for increased direct flights by Qantas in and out of Adelaide.
But in the meantime, Mr McEvoy has taken the unusual step of urging tourism operators to consider using airlines that fly to Adelaide on a daily basis.
Which appears to be a thinly disguised call to boycott Qantas in favour of overseas airlines.
A trend moving the right way?
A Report by The Mole from the Adelaide Advertiser.
John Alwyn-Jones
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