Shanghai as a QF Hub?

[packrat]

China and Australia have completed a new aviation agreement with available seats being increased by 70%.
Wonder if QF is pressing for oncarriage rights to Europe?
Shanghai would be a great hub for domestic and international traffic

[Going Boeing]

Some years ago, Qantas wanted to operate SYD-PDG-LHR (which would have used the 5th landing slot per day at Heathrow that QF bought) but the British Government turned it down due to extensive lobbying by Virgin Atlantic (ie SRB) - despite Virgin Atlantic having just been given rights LHR-HKG-SYD. Subsequently, when the "Open Skies" Agreement was signed between the British and Australian Governments, it had one exception - Australian carriers could not operate between China and the UK (all other routes had no restrictions for UK & Oz carriers) - again due to extensive lobbying.

QF then looked at increasing FRA services to twice daily (better utilisation of aircraft due to less ground time in FRA). Thus there would have been a daily service via SIN and PDG. Unfortunately, the GFC put paid to that plan, but there is no doubt that as the economy recovers, China will be the place to increase services.

[Shot Nancy]

GB,
I think the topic is about Shanghai ZSPD PVG not Padang WIPT PDG. :)

[Going Boeing]

Thanks for that - I used to fly into the old Shanghai airport and thus was not familiar with the new airports designator.

Cheers