Qantas to blame for ‘financial mess’, says Branson
Virgin boss Richard Branson has blasted rival Qantas, saying the airline wouldn’t be in a financial mess if it was "better managed and offered the public a decent service".
Writing on his blog at virgin.com, Branson claimed Qantas was suffering because Virgin Australia, in which his Virgin Group has a 10% stake, offered more customer choice and better value.
Branson was responding to a demand from Qantas that the Australian government cancels Virgin Australia’s international flying rights after the latter announced it was raising $350 million capital underwritten by its key stakeholders, Singapore Airlines, Etihad and Air New Zealand.
It claimed it was unfair it should have to compete with an airline whose losses were being underpinned by three state-owned carriers.
However, Branson said Qantas’ alliances were still larger than Virgin’s and it was determined to bleed his company dry. "But our improved position is having a big impact on Qantas, who are now complaining about the intensified competition," he said.
"It seems strange to me that a Liberal Government would even consider tilting the playing field once again in Qantas’ favour. It would be grossly unfair, undermine the great work of Virgin Australia’s management team and staff and bewilder investors in Australia and worldwide.
" If Qantas was better managed and offered the public a decent service; it would not be in the financial mess it is currently claiming it is in. Government should be there to encourage competition, not to prop up the weak when the going gets tough."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports