QF LCC for Melbourne
Unconfirmed news report this morning indicated that QF had chosen Melbourne to base its new LCC.
A name is yet to be released.
Another airline for city
26nov03
MELBOURNE will today be named home for Qantas' new cut-priced domestic airline in a deal worth millions of dollars to Victoria.
The <local paper> believes Melbourne has fought off stiff competition from Brisbane and Adelaide to win the race to become headquarters for the as-yet-un-named carrier.
The decision is good news for ex-Ansett employees, many of whom could expect to win jobs with the airline.
Qantas will employ several hundred staff directly, with thousands of other jobs created in support areas. The national carrier hopes its new subsidiary, due to take off in May, will win back some of the 28 per cent of the domestic market lost to Virgin Blue since it started three years ago.
The decision also raises the prospect of Melbourne becoming home to two domestic airlines, with millionaire Paul Stoddart announcing his hopes to start up a "true" domestic discount airline.