Wal
Thats not quite right mate. Fuel, aircraft and parts ARE negotiable and the RFDS would find that they would have good purchasing power if they worked together on things like a national fleet plan, fuel hedging, fuel supply contracts and parts stores, pilot training, recruiting and aircraft medical fitouts. Thats without even looking at the medical side of things. Mate if they just got together we could probaly knock 20% off the cost running an airframe over it's life. They are their own worst enemy on this. They operate the largest fleet of King Airs in the southern hemisphere and they could plan the replacement strategy over 50 years if they wanted!
SN