Qantas Airways Offers Free Flights for Stranded Tourists

Qantas Airways offers free flights to passengers who were left stranded by the fleet grounding in a desperate bid to win them back. The Australian carrier and union workers meet today for talks.

Qantas Airways, one of the world’s biggest carriers, is giving away free air tickets to apologize to travellers who were left high and dry when airline’s entire fleet was grounded for two days in October.

Australia-based airline says that passengers whose travels were disrupted by the grounding are entitled to a free return economy flight within Australia or to New Zealand over a two-year period from Dec. 14.

The offer of free flights will reportedly cost the carrier which is not exactly known for its cheap flights somewhere around A $20 million.

“This ticket offer is one of a range of initiatives we will be launching as a way of saying sorry as we move forward into this period of stability,” said Alan Joyce, Qantas Chief Executive Officer in a statement.

“Throughout the long period of industrial activity we have been acutely aware of the impact on our customers,” Alan Joyce added. He also said that this was the airline’s way of winning back customer loyalty.

It has been reported that approximately 80,000 passengers were impacted when Australia’s flag carrier grounded all of its aircraft all over the world on Oct. 29 for about 48 hours. The move was made by the airline to counter long continuing industrial action.

Fair Work Australia intervened and ordered an end to the halt. The airline and the unions, representing engineers, long-haul pilots and baggage handlers, were given 21 days to reach a new contract or face obligatory arbitration.

As per the airline, the disruption cost Qantas A$68 million ($71 million).

Customers to be Compensated

Qantas says that passengers will be compensated for all reasonable losses ensuing from the fleet grounding. Alan Joyce said that the airline regrets the inconvenience caused by the long-standing dispute and by the grounding specifically.

“Now that no more industrial action can take place and the cloud of further strike action has lifted, we are 100 percent focused on what matters to customers, getting them to their destinations, safely, on time and in comfort, and in rewarding their loyalty to Qantas,” Alan Joyce was quoted in several news sources.

The airline also said that announcements in regards to overseas customers and frequent fliers will be made soon. Cheap flights tickets and other incentives can be expected.

Qantas Resumes Talks With Union

Qantas Airways and union members met for negotiations. This was the first meeting of the parties after the Australian airline halted its entire operations late last month over the labour dispute.

Secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, Steve Purvinas said another negotiating session was scheduled for Thursday.

“By today (Monday), we’ll know whether Qantas are interested in negotiating an outcome or whether they’ll continue to stonewall – which has been the case up until now,” Purvinas was quoted as saying in news reports.

On condition of anonymity, a Qantas spokesman said, “We are committed to the negotiations … and believe that we should be able to reach an agreement within the 21-day period.”

Qantas and British Airways Increase Flight Services on Joint Services Agreement

Australia’s Qantas announced on Tuesday plans of enhancing Joint Services Agreement (JSA) with British Airways. Enhancements will strengthen their Singapore hub and offer better services on flights between London Heathrow and Australia.

Qantas and British Airways are set to develop their long-running Joint Services Agreement (JSA). The two airlines aim to strengthen their Singapore hub and offer better products and services to passengers booking flights between London Heathrow and Australia. The move is seen as a part of the Qantas Group’s plan to create a competitive global airline business.

Qantas will maintain its Airbus A380 operations from Melbourne and Sydney to London via Singapore. The carrier also proposes to construct a new premium lounge at Singapore’s Changi International Airport. On the other hand, UK’s flag carrier, British Airways will upgrade its London to Sydney (via Singapore) operations from a Boeing 777 to Boeing 747.

These developments will consolidate Singapore’s standing as the principal hub in the relationship, reinforcing the two airlines’ competitive position in the Asia-Pacific region. Both airlines are known to be premier carriers. Cheap flight tickets may not be their forte, but the carriers still enjoy popularity among travellers for offering quality on-board services.

Under the updated Joint Services Agreement, Qantas will offer flights on Australia – Bangkok and Australia – Hong Kong routes, while British Airways will provide services on Bangkok – London and Hong Kong – London routes. This move is aimed at maximising the carrier’s respective operational strengths and will come into effect from 2012 beginning. BA also plans to augment the frequency of London – Hong Kong flights from 14 per week to 17 per week.

Australia’s Qantas will discontinue its Bangkok – London and Hong Kong – London routes and BA will terminate Bangkok-Sydney operations in favour of Qantas operating flights on the route. This will ease early retirement of Qantas’ four Boeing 747 aircrafts.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce remarked that the time was right to restructure the JSA between British and Qantas Airways.

“Strengthening our relationship with British Airways is an important element of our new strategy for Qantas International,” Mr Joyce said in the company’s press release that was posted on the website on Tuesday.

“Singapore will become the focal point of the JSA relationship, with daily Qantas A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney and onward to London, increased British Airways capacity and a new premium lounge.

“The new approach is a smarter use of both airlines’ resources that will enhance our competitive position in Asia and in the Australia – Europe market.

“Regardless of which airline is operating flights between Australia and the United Kingdom, we are focused on delivering a smooth and enjoyable flying experience for passengers. Restructuring the JSA will put us on the front foot in the fiercely competitive Australia – UK air travel market,” Mr Joyce further elaborated.

Qantas Announces New Lounges and Fleet Upgrades

Qantas also announced that it is going to invest almost $400 million in new international lounges, in-flight entertainment and aircraft refurbishment to enhance travellers’ experience.

“Qantas will construct a new First Lounge and Business Lounge in Los Angeles, three times the size of the current space, as well as new First Lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong,” Mr Alan Joyce was quoted in the company’s press release.

Mr Joyce stated that the introduction of the A380 in 2008 brought new levels of customer satisfaction and now the airline aims to make sure that consistent superiority is maintained across the fleet and lounge network.

“In February last year, Qantas announced a $250 million upgrade for nine Boeing 747-400s to meet the changing demands of the airline’s international customers. The first reconfigured B747 will commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week,” he said.

The Qantas Group additionally launched a new low-cost airline, Jetstar Japan, in partnership with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi. The airline is aimed at Japanese market and will serve travellers who seek cheap flight tickets.

Qantas Airways to Investigate Damage Tire of Airbus A380 Landed in Sydney

Airbus A380 aircraft owned by Qantas Airways was damaged when it landed at Sydney airport. The plane suffered damage to the aircraft tires. When the plane landed ban sparks a worrying issue of passenger aircraft.

Witnesses reported seeing flames and hearing a loud bang as flight QF32 touched down late on Wednesday, while media said two tyres burst. Video footage showed bright flashes from under the plane.

None of the 244 passengers was hurt in the incident, which comes just a day after a Boeing 747 was forced to abort a flight from Sydney to Singapore.

“On landing last night, two tyres were damaged. The aircraft was assessed on the runway by engineers and it was determined it was unable to be towed to the gate,” a Qantas spokeswoman told AFP.
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