Qantas
Qantas in big freight probe
Steve Creedy
August 25, 2006
QANTAS has been caught up in a giant international probe into air freight price-fixing and has been subpoenaed by the US Department of Justice.
In February the airline had said it was not part of an investigation by the European Commission and the US DoJ into price-fixing among some of the world's biggest airlines.
But it admitted in financial notes released last week that Qantas Freight had received the subpoena in May as part of the US investigation. The airline said it immediately undertook a detailed review of its cargo operations to see whether it had complied with the law.
Airlines targeted in the investigation include Lufthansa, Lan Chile, Air France, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, American Airlines, SAS, Asiana Air, Polar Air and Cathay Pacific.
"During this investigation, Qantas has learned that the practice adopted by the cargo industry to fix and impose fuel charges may have breached relevant competition laws," the airline said.
"Qantas is co-operating with all regulators and will be providing them with all relevant information to permit them to undertake their investigations."
Qantas said it was not possible to quantify the liability associated with the matter.
The probe came after years of complaints about suspect industry pricing from businesses using air freight. Investigators are focusing on whether airlines colluded to fix prices on surcharges for fuel, security and insurance.
US and European officials raided airlines on both sides of the Atlantic earlier this year as part of the investigation. It is understood the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has begun looking into the issue.
August 25, 2006
QANTAS has been caught up in a giant international probe into air freight price-fixing and has been subpoenaed by the US Department of Justice.
In February the airline had said it was not part of an investigation by the European Commission and the US DoJ into price-fixing among some of the world's biggest airlines.
But it admitted in financial notes released last week that Qantas Freight had received the subpoena in May as part of the US investigation. The airline said it immediately undertook a detailed review of its cargo operations to see whether it had complied with the law.
Airlines targeted in the investigation include Lufthansa, Lan Chile, Air France, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, American Airlines, SAS, Asiana Air, Polar Air and Cathay Pacific.
"During this investigation, Qantas has learned that the practice adopted by the cargo industry to fix and impose fuel charges may have breached relevant competition laws," the airline said.
"Qantas is co-operating with all regulators and will be providing them with all relevant information to permit them to undertake their investigations."
Qantas said it was not possible to quantify the liability associated with the matter.
The probe came after years of complaints about suspect industry pricing from businesses using air freight. Investigators are focusing on whether airlines colluded to fix prices on surcharges for fuel, security and insurance.
US and European officials raided airlines on both sides of the Atlantic earlier this year as part of the investigation. It is understood the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has begun looking into the issue.
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3 Holer
"They had better hurry up because the rate pilots and ground engineers are leaving, JetEx won't have a 727 operation to sell."
Correct me if I am wrong but, at last count, only 2 FOs have gone-both to play in the sand and one other is in the beginning stages of interviews with a different os airline. All 3 may have gone anyway regardless of the present situation. Hardly a mass exodus.
"They had better hurry up because the rate pilots and ground engineers are leaving, JetEx won't have a 727 operation to sell."
Correct me if I am wrong but, at last count, only 2 FOs have gone-both to play in the sand and one other is in the beginning stages of interviews with a different os airline. All 3 may have gone anyway regardless of the present situation. Hardly a mass exodus.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yorkey's Knob
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It’s good news from our man on the ground at Avalon. Work is progressing to the revised schedule and #1 aircraft is being painted in AAE colours as we speak. Details of the cause of the delay are sketchy and conflicting, depending on whom you speak to and how close to the action they are. The general consensus seems to be that insufficient stress was jigged into the airframe before the door hole was cut. This relief was further compounded by the removal of engines and main gears as part of its check C. (This is the same ‘stress’ that causes the 73 ‘crab’ taxi style.)
It’s a long shot and apprehension is building as the saw is about to be put to the #2 aircraft. CASA is on the case and have found the ‘No worries, mate. We fixed those Lebs up didn’t we?’ assurances of the Israel conversion kit supplier less than comforting. Should talk of suspending the STC firm up, no doubt the political clout of Qantas will prevail.
Speaking of which, our man overheard part of a phone conversion between a shinny, dark suited ‘Tell- you-what-you-want-to-hear’ looking type bloke and another bloke named Geoff someone. Verbatim, it went something like this…
‘er…yes Geoff. There’s been a small hiccup but it will be on line next…
No Geoff. That’s crap. It’s as straight as my….
It’s just the door, Geoff. A bit of a warp and is nothing we can’t adjust out.
Love you too, man. Thanks. Regards to Lucy too…’
Click.
‘****! What do we do now?’
Meanwhile, pilot recruitment has been lurching between on again, off again but mainly at who the hell knows? An unidentified source close to the QF Flt. Dept. said a number of Second Officers, who wish to fast track into the front window seats, have put their hands up. AWA negotiations are continuing. Sticking points being the cost of the conversion and a shortfall in pay. As time goes by, the charge for the endorsement is trending down and Qantas is warming to the idea of topping up EFA’s 73 Capt’s pay to that of a 74 SO, provided the boys are discreet and it does not become common knowledge.
The other good news is that not all of the sold 727, VLG, is going OS. An EO has been raised for the transfer of its user friendly Trimble 21 GPS into VLH which is currently undergoing a check C.
It’s a long shot and apprehension is building as the saw is about to be put to the #2 aircraft. CASA is on the case and have found the ‘No worries, mate. We fixed those Lebs up didn’t we?’ assurances of the Israel conversion kit supplier less than comforting. Should talk of suspending the STC firm up, no doubt the political clout of Qantas will prevail.
Speaking of which, our man overheard part of a phone conversion between a shinny, dark suited ‘Tell- you-what-you-want-to-hear’ looking type bloke and another bloke named Geoff someone. Verbatim, it went something like this…
‘er…yes Geoff. There’s been a small hiccup but it will be on line next…
No Geoff. That’s crap. It’s as straight as my….
It’s just the door, Geoff. A bit of a warp and is nothing we can’t adjust out.
Love you too, man. Thanks. Regards to Lucy too…’
Click.
‘****! What do we do now?’
Meanwhile, pilot recruitment has been lurching between on again, off again but mainly at who the hell knows? An unidentified source close to the QF Flt. Dept. said a number of Second Officers, who wish to fast track into the front window seats, have put their hands up. AWA negotiations are continuing. Sticking points being the cost of the conversion and a shortfall in pay. As time goes by, the charge for the endorsement is trending down and Qantas is warming to the idea of topping up EFA’s 73 Capt’s pay to that of a 74 SO, provided the boys are discreet and it does not become common knowledge.
The other good news is that not all of the sold 727, VLG, is going OS. An EO has been raised for the transfer of its user friendly Trimble 21 GPS into VLH which is currently undergoing a check C.
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Oh! the 737 saga
well when are they going to make their grand entry? seems not till end of Oct even if all goes ok with CASA etc,,,,,,,,,,, talk is that the 72 will be around for years and Aae are finally realising that QF have hoodwinked their fleet renewal program with the smaller 733. with xmas approaching and one 72 leaving the shores and maybe another in maintenance dont expect your crissie presents to get any where ontime!!!!
