Qantas statements contain not a WILL, they are all 'may' and 'could'
But surely that is one of the few sensible decisions Qantas HAS made???
How do you negotiate with Perth airport if you have already announced to the world that you are starting the first ever direct service between the 2 continents and begun selling tickets? You lose ALL your hand in the negotiation as you have said you
will operate the service. Perth airport know they have you over a barrel and can get QF to pay for whatever infrastructure they need.
Indeed it was exact that gung-ho, cocky attitude they had when trying to set up JQ HKG that rightfully copped them so much criticism.
You don't buy a fleet of aircraft, hire staff and say you
will start flying out of Hong Kong before you get approval from the government or you look like idiots. Yet they did and they did!
We should be happy they learnt their lesson.