“The A350 is a fantastic aircraft and the deal on the table with Airbus gives us the best possible combination of commercial terms, fuel efficiency, operating cost and customer experience,” Joyce said in a statement published by Qantas regarding the Project Sunrise selection.
https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/1...on-march-2020/
The Australian airline announced that it is working with Airbus to prepare a contract for up to 12 A350-1000s. However, it is not certain that Qantas will actually begin the flights. In a press release, the airline said it will make a final decision in March 2020 on whether to operate the routes.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/qantas...oject-sunrise/
So Qantas management said that the A350 order was dependent on an EA being agreed with the pilots. Then they changed their mind and said if no EA signed, then Qantas would employ outside cheaper pilots to fly the Sunrise route (and presumably go ahead with the A350 order anyway).
That would mean Qantas flying their "feather in their cap" premium Qantas Sunrise route with the new premium aircraft operated by an El Cheapo subsidiary airline with a gaggle of low paid pilots scraped together from around the World? How does anyone think that will go down with the movers and shakers and other big-swinging-dicks of the Qantas Club? Seriously?
But Qantas also report they are drawing up a contract with Airbus for 12 x A350s. Are they planning 6 Sunrise departures every day? No, the extra aircraft will obviously be used on other current Qantas routes.
Two things are very clear from the Qantas statements. Firstly the Airbus A350 is a preferred aircraft over the Boeing B777X. Secondly, the commitment to Airbus as opposed to Boeing, is likely to lead to more Airbus orders rather than Boeing orders. That could include more A350s to eventually replace A330s and B787s. Looking further down the track, Airbus A320s and A220s would then be more likely to replace the B737s .
Based on events to date it is more likely than not, that current Qantas pilots will end up flying the Airbus A350. The A350 is the future for the Qantas fleet.
And that gentlemen is why Qantas management is falling all over themselves trying to tie down a EA on the A350 now (while pretending that it is only destined for the Sunrise route).
There are three issues. An EA to cover the A350. An EA to cover 20+ hours sectors. And eventually, the management
coup de grāce, an EA to cover mixed fleet flying.
Their are two sets of experts in this stouch, the management and your union. Who do you think cares more about you, your health, wealth and well being?
Think carefully about the implications and consequences before deciding your vote if you go it solo.