Wirraway
16th Oct 2003, 06:42
AAP
Qantas shares soar on tourism recovery
October 15, 2003
Qantas Airways Ltd shares climbed nearly three per cent as investors welcomed signs the tourism industry was picking up after the devastating impact of SARS.
Qantas shares bounced ten cents or 2.84 per cent to $3.62 ahead of the airline's annual general meeting in Adelaide on Thursday.
"Certainly the market is looking for some positive news to come from (the meeting), so that was seeing a lot of support today," Macquarie Equities client adviser Helen Spencer said.
Analysts said Qantas was benefiting from the recent shift in sentiment towards airline stocks as the international tourism market began to find its feet after the shocks of SARS and war in Iraq.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, released on Tuesday, showed short-term visitor arrivals to Australian jumped more than eight per cent in September, compared with a 2.8 per cent decline in August.
UBS analysts said the data proved the international tourism market had recovered from the SARS-induced downturn just four months ago.
While the current Rugby World Cup was likely to add another boost to the Australian tourism industry, the market would have to wait until the October figures to gauge the true benefit form the international event, they said.
Shaw Stockbroking research director Scott Marshall the overall environment for international travel was proving quite significant to Qantas, with overseas airlines reporting improved conditions.
"International travel is rebounding quite strongly, which is very significant for Qantas," he said.
FW Holst & Co adviser Michael Heffernan said investors were picking up on this renewed optimism in the market and were anticipating signs of a strong first quarter for Qantas.
Qantas holds its annual general meeting in Adelaide on Thursday and could update the market on how the current year is going.
"It's probably on the back of perhaps better news coming out on the first three months of trading to September," Mr Heffernan said of Wednesday's share price movement.
Mr Marshall also said the strength in Qantas' share price could have been linked to renewed speculation about the prospect for its proposed $500 million alliance with Air New Zealand.
Air NZ renewed its commitment to the alliance after unveiling a four-year strategic plan on Tuesday which it expects will cut costs by $NZ245 million a year by 2007.
Mr Marshall said the news that Air NZ was planning to slash 15 per cent of its workforce as part of the strategic plan put pressure on New Zealand's competition watchdog to grant approval to the proposed alliance.
©2003 AAP
==========================================
Sydney Airport Message Board
Qantas Schedules and Capacity...
Hong Kong Schedule Update
DOUBLE DAILY SYDNEY
Effective 26 October 2003, Qantas will offer double daily services from Sydney to Hong Kong.
Customers will have the option of a late afternoon arrival into Hong Kong on QF127 with options for onward connections to China and Asia. Alternatively, customers can use QF187 for an evening arrival, with convenient connections to UK/Europe with our OneWorld partners British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Swiss.
On the return, customers can choose Qantas' overnight service on QF128 with convenient connections to NZ/Pacific or the QF188 with an evening arrival into Sydney for a good night's rest.
MELBOURNE - HONG KONG NOW 5 TIMES A WEEK
Effective immediately QF83 is now operating 1.3.5.6.7 (5 times a week), departing 2350 arrives 0605 next day. For the return QF88 operates on the following days 1.2.4.6.7, and departs 1905 arriving 0710 the next day.
BRISBANE - HONG KONG IS BACK!
From 28 October 2003, Qantas will fly from Brisbane to Hong Kong 3 times per week, QF85 operating 2.4.7, departs 1105 arrives 1745. QF86 return flight operates 1.3.6 departs 2300 arrives 0940 next day.
CAIRNS - HONG KONG GOING TO 3 TIMES A WEEK
From 28 October 2003, Qantas will fly from Cairns to Hong Kong 3 times per week, AO7875 operating 2.5.6, departs 1215 arrives 1720. AO7876 return flight operates 2.5.6 departing 1915 arrives 0425 next day.
QantasLink Christmas Schedules
Week Commencing Monday 15 December.
Frequency reduces on SYD-CBR with the withdrawal of Flights QF 1405/6(Mon to Fri) 0630/0835.
Frequency on MEL-MQL is reduced on weekdays from five to four round trips.
More capacity is added on the MEL-DPO and MEL-BWT routes.
============================================
Qantas shares soar on tourism recovery
October 15, 2003
Qantas Airways Ltd shares climbed nearly three per cent as investors welcomed signs the tourism industry was picking up after the devastating impact of SARS.
Qantas shares bounced ten cents or 2.84 per cent to $3.62 ahead of the airline's annual general meeting in Adelaide on Thursday.
"Certainly the market is looking for some positive news to come from (the meeting), so that was seeing a lot of support today," Macquarie Equities client adviser Helen Spencer said.
Analysts said Qantas was benefiting from the recent shift in sentiment towards airline stocks as the international tourism market began to find its feet after the shocks of SARS and war in Iraq.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, released on Tuesday, showed short-term visitor arrivals to Australian jumped more than eight per cent in September, compared with a 2.8 per cent decline in August.
UBS analysts said the data proved the international tourism market had recovered from the SARS-induced downturn just four months ago.
While the current Rugby World Cup was likely to add another boost to the Australian tourism industry, the market would have to wait until the October figures to gauge the true benefit form the international event, they said.
Shaw Stockbroking research director Scott Marshall the overall environment for international travel was proving quite significant to Qantas, with overseas airlines reporting improved conditions.
"International travel is rebounding quite strongly, which is very significant for Qantas," he said.
FW Holst & Co adviser Michael Heffernan said investors were picking up on this renewed optimism in the market and were anticipating signs of a strong first quarter for Qantas.
Qantas holds its annual general meeting in Adelaide on Thursday and could update the market on how the current year is going.
"It's probably on the back of perhaps better news coming out on the first three months of trading to September," Mr Heffernan said of Wednesday's share price movement.
Mr Marshall also said the strength in Qantas' share price could have been linked to renewed speculation about the prospect for its proposed $500 million alliance with Air New Zealand.
Air NZ renewed its commitment to the alliance after unveiling a four-year strategic plan on Tuesday which it expects will cut costs by $NZ245 million a year by 2007.
Mr Marshall said the news that Air NZ was planning to slash 15 per cent of its workforce as part of the strategic plan put pressure on New Zealand's competition watchdog to grant approval to the proposed alliance.
©2003 AAP
==========================================
Sydney Airport Message Board
Qantas Schedules and Capacity...
Hong Kong Schedule Update
DOUBLE DAILY SYDNEY
Effective 26 October 2003, Qantas will offer double daily services from Sydney to Hong Kong.
Customers will have the option of a late afternoon arrival into Hong Kong on QF127 with options for onward connections to China and Asia. Alternatively, customers can use QF187 for an evening arrival, with convenient connections to UK/Europe with our OneWorld partners British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Swiss.
On the return, customers can choose Qantas' overnight service on QF128 with convenient connections to NZ/Pacific or the QF188 with an evening arrival into Sydney for a good night's rest.
MELBOURNE - HONG KONG NOW 5 TIMES A WEEK
Effective immediately QF83 is now operating 1.3.5.6.7 (5 times a week), departing 2350 arrives 0605 next day. For the return QF88 operates on the following days 1.2.4.6.7, and departs 1905 arriving 0710 the next day.
BRISBANE - HONG KONG IS BACK!
From 28 October 2003, Qantas will fly from Brisbane to Hong Kong 3 times per week, QF85 operating 2.4.7, departs 1105 arrives 1745. QF86 return flight operates 1.3.6 departs 2300 arrives 0940 next day.
CAIRNS - HONG KONG GOING TO 3 TIMES A WEEK
From 28 October 2003, Qantas will fly from Cairns to Hong Kong 3 times per week, AO7875 operating 2.5.6, departs 1215 arrives 1720. AO7876 return flight operates 2.5.6 departing 1915 arrives 0425 next day.
QantasLink Christmas Schedules
Week Commencing Monday 15 December.
Frequency reduces on SYD-CBR with the withdrawal of Flights QF 1405/6(Mon to Fri) 0630/0835.
Frequency on MEL-MQL is reduced on weekdays from five to four round trips.
More capacity is added on the MEL-DPO and MEL-BWT routes.
============================================