1279shp
15th Jun 2005, 21:23
June 15, 2005
Australia has decided not to grant Singapore Airlines access to the lucrative Sydney-Los Angeles route, a decision the airline says points to a further delay but not an outright rejection of its bid.
"The issue of trans-Pacific access has been considered at the highest levels by the Australian government, which has decided the time is not right for Singapore Airlines to be granted access to the route," a spokesman for Australian Transport Minister John Anderson said on Wednesday.
Anderson met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan in Canberra earlier on Wednesday.
Singapore Air said it was unsurprised but disappointed by the Australian decision to "protect Qantas from competition".
"It is not a rejection, but another delay of Singapore Airlines' request to be allowed to compete on the Transpacific route, according to information provided to us by the Australian Government today," it said in a statement.
Qantas and bankrupt US carrier United Airlines are the only two airlines offering direct flights from Australia to the mainland United States.
Discount carrier Virgin Blue has also said it wants access to the route.
Australia has decided not to grant Singapore Airlines access to the lucrative Sydney-Los Angeles route, a decision the airline says points to a further delay but not an outright rejection of its bid.
"The issue of trans-Pacific access has been considered at the highest levels by the Australian government, which has decided the time is not right for Singapore Airlines to be granted access to the route," a spokesman for Australian Transport Minister John Anderson said on Wednesday.
Anderson met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan in Canberra earlier on Wednesday.
Singapore Air said it was unsurprised but disappointed by the Australian decision to "protect Qantas from competition".
"It is not a rejection, but another delay of Singapore Airlines' request to be allowed to compete on the Transpacific route, according to information provided to us by the Australian Government today," it said in a statement.
Qantas and bankrupt US carrier United Airlines are the only two airlines offering direct flights from Australia to the mainland United States.
Discount carrier Virgin Blue has also said it wants access to the route.