surfside -
Most of our Japan corporate traffic goes over SIN or KUL on a cost based choice.
The Jap fares are a pain in the butt and overly restrictive.
China however is QF 1st choice and meetings set to use the nonstop PEK services. Fares are reasonable.
QF is still trying to milk a yen that is near the 100 level against the former Pacific Peso, and the sons of the rising sun are just going to haul their skinny clenched butts into HNL.
This is a market I would consider would find it hard to accept JQ as they are value for money with quality service oriented. LCC's as qf86 rightly said are riding the divine wind.
Japanese traffic is of little value overall to Australia apart from salaries. they come here, are on organised tours, stay at Japanese owned properties, are directed to Japanese owned outlets but at least do visit local attractions, albeit at monstrously inflated prepaid prices.
More frequency into PEK makes more sense for my Corporate dudes. They are pumping up and over HKG if they cannot roll on MON WED FRI departures.
There may be something quite accurate in what R-F-Green says too. These local predators who direct the Japanese clientelle into their own stores and rip the living suitcase out of them may not be allowed to operate in the other destinations of choice.
Maybe we have killed the market and overpriced it by apathy and lack of action.
Nothing new there.
Best all
EWL