lame
31st May 2004, 07:31
Gull quits Avalon
Monday, May 31
DANIEL FOGARTY
GULL Airport Services has abandoned a contract to bus passengers from Geelong to Jetstar's Avalon terminal just days before it was due to begin.
Gull Airport services operations manager Scott Leeds last night said the company had to take a hard commercial decision.
``We looked at it in a positive way but the forward bookings we had for the month did just not justify going ahead,'' he said.
Mr Leeds said the company had received only a handfull of bookings and it did not warrant the expense of providing five return services day as required by the contract.
``We wish Jetstar well and would look at it again in the future but it was just not commercially viable,'' he said.
It is believed three companies including one from Geelong are now vying for the contract.
Bracks Government spokesman Toby Hemming said Gull had decided servicing Jetstar was no longer workable.
A City of Greater Geelong spokesman said it was his understanding Gull had made a commercial decision to withdraw the service.
``We understand Avalon Airport and Jetstar have been negotiating with a number of other operators and hope to have an announcement within the next week or so,'' the spokesman said. ``We are convinced the Geelong region will embrace Jetstar - there will be major benefits in terms of business, tourism and local employment.''
Jetstar manager of corporate relations Simon Westaway said Gull decided last week to pull out of the contract.
``They have to . . . work out if they can deliver a service which gives them an appropriate commercial return and at the same time meets the service qualities which we desire,'' he said.
Monday, May 31
DANIEL FOGARTY
GULL Airport Services has abandoned a contract to bus passengers from Geelong to Jetstar's Avalon terminal just days before it was due to begin.
Gull Airport services operations manager Scott Leeds last night said the company had to take a hard commercial decision.
``We looked at it in a positive way but the forward bookings we had for the month did just not justify going ahead,'' he said.
Mr Leeds said the company had received only a handfull of bookings and it did not warrant the expense of providing five return services day as required by the contract.
``We wish Jetstar well and would look at it again in the future but it was just not commercially viable,'' he said.
It is believed three companies including one from Geelong are now vying for the contract.
Bracks Government spokesman Toby Hemming said Gull had decided servicing Jetstar was no longer workable.
A City of Greater Geelong spokesman said it was his understanding Gull had made a commercial decision to withdraw the service.
``We understand Avalon Airport and Jetstar have been negotiating with a number of other operators and hope to have an announcement within the next week or so,'' the spokesman said. ``We are convinced the Geelong region will embrace Jetstar - there will be major benefits in terms of business, tourism and local employment.''
Jetstar manager of corporate relations Simon Westaway said Gull decided last week to pull out of the contract.
``They have to . . . work out if they can deliver a service which gives them an appropriate commercial return and at the same time meets the service qualities which we desire,'' he said.