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Left2primary
18th Mar 2004, 05:28
Under the use it or lose it conditions applicable to the recently purchased $47 million landing slots at LHR it seems QF will be forced to wetlease AC to operate extensions to their existing Kangaroo route services. Most likely to and from Manchester.

Plans were it seems, to use the regular 744's that sit on the ground for 12 hours or so before returning south to operate these extensions.

Until someone remembered that they had already been committed to the regular P & O charter work during the European summer!:\

The impulsive purchase may turn very sour unless QF manages to sort out the rights to use them for their intended purpose.

Keg
18th Mar 2004, 09:09
Heard a rumour the other day that QF approached Boeing for some 744s to be told the aviation equivalent of 'Qantas? Aren't you the guys who went and ordered Airbus just recently? Sorry, no aircraft available.'

Who knows if it is true or not but we are struggling to find capacity to put into both LAX and the Roo Route!

Capt Fathom
18th Mar 2004, 12:13
Jeez...I don't know about this one.
Would you spend $47 million on slots you couldn't service?
You can fend off the opposition for only so long, but $47 million for 3 months sounds like expensive insurance to me. They must have some sort of backup plan if it doesn't come about.

Evanelpus
18th Mar 2004, 13:19
Keg, were your comments said tongue in cheek??

I don't think Boeing or any other manufacturer would turn away orders for whatever reason, least of all the 'you bought someone elses aircraft last time' nah nah nah nah nah.

Left2primary
18th Mar 2004, 15:41
CPT Fathon,


methinks they are desperately trying to think of one now.

L2P

Keg
18th Mar 2004, 19:41
Evaneplus, the rumour centred on the fact that QF wanted some aircraft NOW to be told that Boeing couldn't help out with any preferential treatment on the production line. Wiih the industry picking up and recent QF orders for Airbus, why would Boeing fall over themselves to help out QF?!?!

Anyway, it was just a rumour. ;) :E

Feather #3
18th Mar 2004, 20:30
Capt F,

With respect, these slots don't come onto the market every day and aren't traded like the stock exchange! They are like hen's teeth and the ability to grab a couple even if you have to do the 'Chieftain' trick [quite possible] might be seen in some quarters as quite a coup.

G'day ;)

Minosavy Masta
18th Mar 2004, 21:02
Of course there is the Airbus Option.......Rumour has it that the A340-500 is being considered as an addition to further Airbus A330-300 orders....these are from existing options ...so the Rumour has some credibility........This would make Perth London services possible...even desireable given the ability to avoid troubled areas over more traditional Routes.

Not to mention the possibility of East coast OZ ...East Coast US flights...........no wonder Singair is so desperate to achieve rights from the OZ Govt to fly OZ-US services now! they already have A340-500s ...Interesting Times Indeed !!

Skypatrol
18th Mar 2004, 22:21
The hot rumour doing the rounds was that QF were looking to get 8 - 12 ex United 747-400's. No doubt this would give them 2 more flights into LHR daily, and extra capacity to add to the USA.

1A_Please
19th Mar 2004, 01:07
The hot rumour doing the rounds was that QF were looking to get 8 - 12 ex United 747-400's. No doubt this would give them 2 more flights into LHR daily, and extra capacity to add to the USA.
It would also give QF a full-house of 744s

RR powered 744s
GE powered 744s
PW powered 744s and
GE powered 744ERs

Realistically you can't imagine QF buying more 744s, especially older examples with a completely different engine type. It might be reasonable to suggest that they could lease a few until the A380s arrive but even then you'd think they'd want to outsource the maintenance of the PW powered birds to someone like SQ, TG or UA.

mmmbop
19th Mar 2004, 03:30
1A_Please -

The UA 744s aren't old ones - apparently they are brand new jets sitting in the desert because UA can't pay for them due to their Chapter 11 problems. Thai tried getting them but didn't put in a high enough bid, so I think QF are trying now.

Going Boeing
19th Mar 2004, 13:30
Have heard a rumour that Cathay beat QF to the punch and secured the United -400s. QF has been looking at some ex Air Canada -400's (GE) and some South African -400's (RR).

Boyscout
20th Mar 2004, 11:12
How long is a conversion course A330 to A340?

The drivers better be hoping that the Company go this way now so that there is a foot in the door for the A380. No precedent, Pornstar A320s (another Airbus twin) and the A380 as a new type... can smell one hell of a bunfight there.

What's more, wouldn't having A340s (especially 500s) enable QF to go head to head with EK? Unfortunately when you don't want to part with cash you end up without capacity. Let's hope there is something sourced from a desert soon otherwise the way Anderson is going QF will not just miss out on LHR. SFO, Chicago, Dallas, South America??

Makes me wonder whether QF are spending too much time in a low cost team talk and not watching the ball.... frisking pilots for every last cent and then wasting a lazy 50 million on this avoidable debacle. Unfortunately this is sounding familiar...again.

BS

The The
20th Mar 2004, 20:06
Reported in The Australian last week, QF July board meeting to be held in Tolouse - maybe for a big announcement or just a junket for the board memebrs?

QF has CASA approved CCQ for A330-A340. 3 day course.

MoFo
21st Mar 2004, 22:33
QF pay a sh*tload for LHR landing slots.

The Northern Summer is fast approaching.

The Olympic games are fast approaching.

Can you see a pattern here? They will probably be doing something to use those slots very soon, if they are not stupid.