Interesting thread, and some interesting points, my view?
QANTAS: International will continue to flounder with the influx of ME airlines and cheap low cost international airlines. The international arm of the airline is becoming stale, basically through the inept management style in place. Domestic? Game on with
VB, although the dispatch rate of the 767 and 734 (which will start to be withdrawn) will become a problem and an advantage for
VB. Huge loss of buisness patronage? Not yet, just a gradual decrease of market share, but eventually a large share will go to
VB. Eventually be enough for the board to start asking questions in regard to the companies present directions. Might see a lot of money being thrown QANTAS domestics way towards the end of the year, but unfortunately a bit late.
Virgin Blue: Exciting year. New look, engaged staff. No regional turboprop just yet, too much on their plate this year, and although they have a big war chest, JB won't risk it all at once. Main thing
VB need to do is distance themselves from the bearded one, he will do more damage than good in attracting the buisness clients. JB management style and knowledge of the industry will make it a good year for
VB.
Jetstar: Industrial problems and a media nightmare. More rapid expansion for dubious gain in a declining lesuire market will put a huge drain on QANTAS in a time when they are being attacked on both high and low yeild market. With little employee loyalty manpower will become a problem, and this will lead to moe operational problems. European flying will begin but will become a huge problem with Asian full service carriers providing better value at the same price. All in all a huge headache for the Qantas group.
Tiger: A hard one! With a leisure market under strain and a huge excess of seats in Australia, this could be a hard year for Tiger.
Qlink: same as usual, with limited expansion in WA
REX: New type announced, same as Qlink, quiet year of consolidation.
The rest? It all depends on the economy.......could be a year of hurt for some smaller Airlines.
I think a really interesting year!