I dont know if shorthaul is dead but is certainly changing...bigtime.
But if shorthaul is dead then where does it leave longhaul. This is not a dig...i actually feel sorry for l/h. I never voted for the last eba and in general avoid regional patterns (only one regional to date - and not by choice).
Seriously - where will QF longhaul fly to? A huge chunk of Asia is looking like being covered by s/h, Mumbai (****) could be heading our way, Jetstar is cutting into the Tasman's, Australian is possibly taking more - eg. Honolulu etc...
It leaves Frankfurt, Sth Africa, US, limited Asian sectors and 1 a day to the UK.
You will find that in the S/H base in Sydney the overwhelming majority did NOT vote for the last eba and wont for this one. You have to remember that a massive amount of the Syd S/H base are ex longhaul - i heard figures in the 70% range. They certainly didnt vote to become an international hostie again - thats what they escaped.
Times are changing.... scarey.