Qantas ‘turned down Etihad’
Qantas rejected a partnership bid from Etihad Airways before agreeing a deal with rival Emirates Airlines, according to a report.
The Australian and Dubai-based carriers announced a global partnership in March, operating 14 times a day between the two regions.
According to a report in Arabian Business, chief executive Alan Joyce said Qantas had been approached for a possible deal with the UAE national carrier, before ultimately agreeing a partnership deal with Emirates Airlines.
He compared the proposal by Etihad and the deal struck with Emirates as "like being offered the bike before the BMW".
He also claimed "the jury is out on equity partnerships" of the kind that Etihad Airways is building.
Gulf carriers have focused their interests on the Australian market, with Etihad signing up Virgin Australia as one of its major equity partners.
Qantas was forced to defend the poor start to its alliance with Emirates after its international passenger numbers fell 7.2%.
In a statement to Arabian Business, a Qantas spokesperson said the downturn was not surprising because there was some uncertainty surrounding the alliance, which was only confirmed on March 27 when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission granted approval.
"Many of our international customers book their international travel several months in advance so it is no surprise that this uncertainty had an effect on forward bookings for the month of April," the spokesperson said.
Etihad plans to launch its Airbus A380 aircraft to Sydney and Melbourne while it also plans to build premium lounges at Sydney and Melbourne Airports from 2014.
The airline has also flagged additional flights to Melbourne and Brisbane while nonstop flights between Perth and Abu Dhabi will also be launched.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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