Originally Posted by
dragon man
Maybe mention should be made also of how having abandoned the hub in Singapore but now having a suitable aircraft (the 787) Qantas could actually operate the 787 from this hub having originated in Perth and Brisbane thru to maybe Frankfurt, Rome and or Paris instead of giving those customers to Emerates. IMO this would be right aircraft , right route.
Having established with certain media outlets, a narrative of 'terminal decline', three weeks before the grounding Qantas quietly applied to transfer all European flying (with exception of 2 daily EGLL) to a wholly owned subsidiary. Any guess who?
As a result at execution QF experienced a substantial decline in passenger numbers and thus revenues, this is historic record. The result a hastily convened DXB 'alliance' and Dubai hub. The cost of $100 million borne by shareholders, who also financed the return to Singapore. The hub, now abandoned and the lack of growth in revenues indicative that despite their best effort, they needed to do something else. Their remaining customers had said so since it was announced.
That they are having a go is admirable, however that the aircraft is stretched and
any impact of an environmental variable curtails the
service reliability is indicative that this is the case.. Perhaps a reason why other airlines are not employing the aircraft on such a 'hail Mary' stage length.
That the aircraft was ordered by Mr Dixon in 2006 is testament to a decade of mismanagement where aircraft operating routes that are beyond their optimum is seen as 'growth'.
Aircraft and route planning is detailed and a necessarily complex process. This aircraft may be many things, but given the impact, environment (whether it be runway limits, temperature, crew duty limits, crosswind limits or fuel) has, it is reasonable to infer it was not designed to do what they are trying to get it to do, It is perhaps a glimpse into QF mindset that aircraft selection and route planning has been neglected for an extended period of time, roughly at least coincident with Little Napoleon's tenure.