They can deny the 3000 number - it will probably be a lot more so to claim the rumour is wrong in the press is accurate.
QF might not pull out of LHR but replacing QF metal with EK will be classified as mainintaining the serving of LHR
JNB will be gone - if the ACCC would come to the party and realise the current arrangement was not a monopoly it would be saved. So leaving one carrier and one stop to SYD is great for the consumer isn't it ACCC?