Qantas & Rex - The gloves are off

[Dave Parer]

It's war on the TSV-MKY-TSV route where Rex has just started ops in competition with QF. Articles from the Townsville Bulletin;

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au...6391_news.html

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au...6691_news.html

[lloyd fox]

Qantaslink has reduced services to Weipa,Horn island and 2 western queensland ports to increase flights between TSV-MKY .I suspect those towns are not too happy.

[Hugh Jarse]

Typical Qantaslink. Always reactive, never proactive in growing their routes.

[Justin L]

Different markets I know, but QFLink failed when entering ADL-PLO and ADL-KGC against Rex. It will be interesting to follow this TSV-MKY battle.

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Justin Lazaroff

Different markets I know, but QFLink failed when entering ADL-PLO and ADL-KGC against Rex. It will be interesting to follow this TSV-MKY battle.

Not sure QF failed on the ADL-PLO route - loads were high from what I am told by council - they were baffled as to why QF pulled out so soon after starting. However, REX pulled out of a market in Tasmania about the same time and left that to QF - draw your own conclusions!

[Daniel G]

Why wouldn't Qantas try and push them out? It's not a teddy bears picnic

[Mike W]

here's an example of the kind of "innovation" that QF use to be reknown for but not now.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...omy-class.html

Air New Zealand looking at seat-beds in economy class

Air New Zealand could be set to revolutionise long-haul economy travel when it takes its new Boeing 777-300ERs from late 2010 by offering passengers seat-beds.

The Star Alliance carrier's international group general manager Ed Sims has told an investor's briefing that ANZ's new 777-300ERs might have economy-class seats that can covert into seat-beds, according to news reports in New Zealand.

The seat-beds take up two economy-class seats and will only be offered to passengers who have an empty seat next to them, add the reports. People will be offered the seat-bed upon check-in at a charge of NZ$150 ($112), they say.

The airline has declined to confirm the report, saying it is still "in the middle of research and development" for ANZ's new long-haul product.

The new interior cabins and seating will appear in late 2010 when the new 777-300ERs start arriving, it adds. ANZ says it is also redesigning its aircraft livery, uniforms and "a whole range of other products".

An official at ANZ's aircraft interiors business, Altitude, confirms it will be making the new interiors for the 777-300ERs but declines to comment on details

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jarse

Typical Qantaslink. Always reactive, never proactive in growing their routes.

Typical of all of Qantas these days I'm afraid.

[Hugh Jarse]

Indeed, Mike.

Justin, what the players won't tell you (for fear of reprisals from the ACCC) is that QF and REX most likely colluded on the pullout of SA ops.

Lets see who pulls out of the FNQ routes first

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by Andrew

It's all about route economics and that is the bottom line...

Hence Jetstar and why it's taken over so many QF routes. That's the Qantas that has evolved now.

My point though isn't necessarily about costs and economics. It's about innovation and opportunity. Remember QF was the Airline to invent J class. What happened to that Qantas Andrew?