Originally Posted by
dr dre
I think McGowan has the "sort of" upper hand. He knows there's enough local UK born in WA that there is always going to be a market for direct flights, plus there are practical limitations in Darwin with terminal and apron size etc.
AJ also probably knows that the delay is likely to be short lived, several weeks or so. Probably won't effect those services which weren't due to restart until April. But he needs to make headlines some how to put the pressure on, so you then get those attention grabbing comparisons.
I would even say the pressure being put on WA by airlines to open up is more due to their need to make profits in domestic interstate flying. No doubt the coffers of airlines have taken a big hit in January and upcoming in February and March. Approx 40% drop in domestic capacity, mostly due to the drop in demand from the eastern states. That's were the real money is made. They also know interstate flying in and out of WA will help restore that lost revenue.
Well said. Joyce knows full well there's more money to be made by routing direct flights to Europe through Perth instead of Darwin. Silly comparisons between WA and North Korea might grab headlines, but McGowan is unlikely to change course over such petty tantrums.