So here we are back 12 years ago with the two airline policy alive and well. The only difference is one airline has 80% of the market and the other will eventually get 20%.
Great idea that "deregulation" of the Australian airline industry 12 years ago. Of course, we all know what that really meant to Abeles, Murdoch and Hawke at that time.
Australian Airlines and Ansett "competing" head to head with no nasty AFAP to keep things on an even keel. With the AFAP out of the way, no more wage hikes, no more better condition demands and a very compliant "in house" union just to make it look good to the ACTU and Industrial Relations Commission. BIG money for the Government and BIG money for the PM's buddies in private enterprise. A war chest so massive that even if any new player managed to start up, he wouldn't be around long enough to be significant. Yep, that was DEREGULATION Bob Hawke/abeles style.
Trouble with that plan was the AFAP DID get in the way and the rest is history!
Imagine if the talks in Lorne had gone ahead without the interference of the Fat Man and backing of the Silver Bodgie. Both airlines would have been very healthy (financialy)today and thousands of happy employees would have been going about their daily business to strive for that elusive floating 1% - 2% of the market share that TN and AN fought over every month.
Ah well, close a door and another opens.
. .R.I.P. Ansett.