How much more open can Australian skies be?
Internationally, every man and his dog can apply for virtually unlimited capacity and get it. Can't see the difference between what we have now and open skies.
Domestically, even foreign owned airlines can start up. If they ask nicely, some State Government will even subsidise their headquarters. Could you see an Australian owned airline being able to start up in North America or Europe?
When you sit down and think about it the Qantas domestic product still isn't too damned bad, especially for frequently flying business people with no baggage. Generally on time, dependable, fast in and out of terminals, nice frills like optional valet parking, meals in business class on an 85 minute sector etc. It may not be the high water mark for domestic airline service, but it's a mile ahead of anything you'll find these days in North America or Europe.
So it's not the product that's the problem. The product can, and is, competing on its own terms, despite the obstacles put in its path. It's the management who can't see the value of what they have and are 'Absolutely' committed to destroying that product by deliberate act mostly and neglect sometimes that is the problem. White-anting the airline for ideological and possibly narcissistic reasons.
Last edited by Captain Gidday; 4th May 2012 at 05:33.