Maybe Qantas have got it right
So what's so wrong about what Qantas is doing here? Put simply they are seeking out efficiencies in an industry that is undergoing some of the largest fundamental changes in it's history. Isn't that what you would expect them to do? What's the alternative? Does Qantas simply ignore the fact that every other airlines in the region are reducing their cost base substantially? Should they ignore the fact that many Asian airlines are undergoing rapid expansion? Should they put their head in the sand and ignore the fact that eventually Australia will have to catch up with the rest of the world and adopt a more liberal open skies policy?
The fact is that eventually Qantas will be competing head to head with many lean and mean Asian airlines. If they don't keep up they will perish, sounds alarmist I know but no one ever thought AN would fold. Trust me it can happen and it can happen fast.