Wirraway
12th Feb 2004, 00:29
Thurs "The Australian"
Fickle tastes sink Qantas bid
By Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
February 12, 2004
JETSTAR customers will be able to buy food and drinks on the carrier's flights from May - but they won't be coming from Qantas Catering.
The Qantas catering arm lost out in a competitive tender process to Swiss multinational Gate Gourmet.
The decision was characterised as cost-driven - a spokesman said last night that Qantas Catering simply could not match the attractive offer tendered by Gate. But Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce said it also stemmed from Jetstar research into passenger preferences.
"Our research revealed that people expect low-cost carriers to offer simple, fresh, top-quality food and drinks for sale inflight," he said.
"So we have asked Gate Gourmet to design a menu that will really suit these demands and provide our customers with a selection of great quality products."
Jetstar is looking at offering a pre-order facility for a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, sandwiches, chocolate bars, muffins, pastries, cereals and snacks.
Mr Joyce said the airline would look at introducing additional food choices, including hot meals such as soups, later in the year.
Ironically, the announcement came as Qantas domestic aircraft leaving Brisbane after 2pm took off without meals because of a 24-hour strike by catering staff.
A Qantas spokesman said domestic flights from Brisbane were not catered for yesterday but passengers were provided with meal vouchers for use before boarding.
International flights were fully catered and arrangements were made to service them today.
The airline was also finalising arrangements for domestic flights today.
The airline last night sought an Industrial Relations Commission order on the dispute.
In other airline developments yesterday, Virgin Blue announced it would add Ballina-Byron Bay to its growing network from August 5.
Virgin said the new jet service would offer low-fare connections from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and New Zealand while opening up other northern NSW communities such as Casino and Lismore.
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Fickle tastes sink Qantas bid
By Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
February 12, 2004
JETSTAR customers will be able to buy food and drinks on the carrier's flights from May - but they won't be coming from Qantas Catering.
The Qantas catering arm lost out in a competitive tender process to Swiss multinational Gate Gourmet.
The decision was characterised as cost-driven - a spokesman said last night that Qantas Catering simply could not match the attractive offer tendered by Gate. But Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce said it also stemmed from Jetstar research into passenger preferences.
"Our research revealed that people expect low-cost carriers to offer simple, fresh, top-quality food and drinks for sale inflight," he said.
"So we have asked Gate Gourmet to design a menu that will really suit these demands and provide our customers with a selection of great quality products."
Jetstar is looking at offering a pre-order facility for a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, sandwiches, chocolate bars, muffins, pastries, cereals and snacks.
Mr Joyce said the airline would look at introducing additional food choices, including hot meals such as soups, later in the year.
Ironically, the announcement came as Qantas domestic aircraft leaving Brisbane after 2pm took off without meals because of a 24-hour strike by catering staff.
A Qantas spokesman said domestic flights from Brisbane were not catered for yesterday but passengers were provided with meal vouchers for use before boarding.
International flights were fully catered and arrangements were made to service them today.
The airline was also finalising arrangements for domestic flights today.
The airline last night sought an Industrial Relations Commission order on the dispute.
In other airline developments yesterday, Virgin Blue announced it would add Ballina-Byron Bay to its growing network from August 5.
Virgin said the new jet service would offer low-fare connections from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and New Zealand while opening up other northern NSW communities such as Casino and Lismore.
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