gregm
4th Sep 2002, 00:04
I found the follow on the Sydneyairport site.
http://www.sydneyairportmedia.com/upload/questions_for_virginblue_030902.htm
Any thoughts
Ten Questions for Virgin Blue to Answer
Virgin Blue asked Macquarie Airports shareholders 10 questions at the EGM today. Sydney Airport has been asking questions of Virgin Blue for some weeks. Here are 10 questions that should be put to Virgin Blue's two shareholders.
PLEASE EXPLAIN …No1:
IF A DEAL OVER ACCESS TO THE FORMER ANSETT TERMINAL AT SYDNEY AIRPORT WAS COMPLETED ON 18 APRIL 2002, AS VIRGIN BLUE CLAIM, WHY WAS VIRGIN BLUE STILL WRITING TO SACL ADVISING THAT THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES STILL TO RESOLVED AND REVIEWS YET TO BE UNDERTAKEN? FOR EXAMPLE:
Virgin Blue wrote to SACL on 1 May 2002 noting that
"…the amount proffered in the ‘discussion document’ between our respective principals was never considered by our Board nor agreed by our newest shareholder."
On 4 June, Virgin Blue wrote to SACL urging SACL to continue negotiations:
"…to finalise the agreement in the very near term".
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 2:
WHEN INTERVIEWED BY CHANNEL 9’S "BUSINESS SUNDAY" ON 9 JUNE 2002, VIRGIN BLUE’S CEO BRETT GODFREY SAID QUITE CLEARLY THAT VIRGIN BLUE AND SACL HAD YET TO COMPLETE A DEAL. (SEE BELOW). SOME TWO MONTHS LATER – VIRGIN BLUE IS CLAIMING THAT A DEAL WAS FINALISED ON 18 APRIL 2002 ? PLEASE EXPLAIN….?
NATIONAL NINE NETWORK : BUSINESS SUNDAY 8.40AM 9TH JUNE, 2002.
DISCUSSION ABOUT VIRGIN AIRLINES FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN AIRLINE MARKET.INTERVIEW WITH BRETT GODFREY, VIRGIN BLUE.
Virgin’s Brett Godfrey is talking to Helen McCombie.
BRETT GODFREY – VIRGIN BLUE:
Well, we’ve had tremendous discussions with Sydney Airport for a long time now on that and I think we’re pretty close, yeah.
REPORTER:
How close?
GODFREY:
Well, I’d be ready to sign. You know, we’ve been working on a term sheet for quite some time and I think there’s basically one substantive issue that, you know, I think is negotiable for a win-win and then it’s a matter of just being able to get in.
(THIS ISSUE WAS PRICE)
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No3:
IF A DEAL WAS COMPLETED ON 18 APRIL 2002 AS VIRGIN BLUE CLAIM, WHY WERE PUBLIC STATEMENTS BEING ISSUED BY VIRGIN BLUE THAT CLEARLY INDICATE THAT NEGOTIATIONS WERE STILL UNDERWAY?
In fact, in a 3 June press statement posted to their web site, Virgin Blue requested the federal government to stay out of the way of negotiations in early June 2002. Why would Virgin Blue need to ask the government this in June, if a deal was – as they continue to claim – completed on 18 April 2002?
3rd June 2002 (EXTRACTS BELOW)
VIRGIN BLUE REAFFIRMS ITS VIEW THAT AIRPORTS SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL
Virgin Blue is in advanced negotiations with a number of airports ….
In negotiations with all airports including Sydney, the airline has never asked to restrict access ….
In Sydney, Virgin Blue only expects to need six of the nine gates on Pier A, leaving three available for other carriers. It is not known how much of Pier B Qantas intends to use. Even if the entire Ansett facility is fully utilised in the future, there is still the Domestic Express Terminal, which is now successfully serving a fleet of 18 aircraft
Any attempts by the government to delay Virgin Blue’s negotiations with SACL will only further limit the airlines growth……
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 4:
AFTER CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO "MEDIATE", AND HAVING RECEIVED INFORMATION ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS "INTERVENTION", WHY HAVE VIRGIN BLUE NOT ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENT’S FINDINGS?
What are they hiding, and why is it not featuring as part of the media campaign they are continuing to run? Is it because the Government analyse did not back up their claims?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 5:
WHERE ARE THE NEW AIRCRAFT THAT VIRGIN BLUE SAY THEY HAVE ACQUIRED TO OPERATE IN AUSTRALIA?
Virgin blue’s David Huttner said in a recent press statement that SACL would be held liable for new aircraft purchased by Virgin Blue and now unable to be accommodated at the domestic express terminal. Where are these aircraft?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No6:
CHRIS CORRIGAN IS CALLING THE DOMESTIC EXPRESS TERMINAL AT SYDNEY AIRPORT A ‘BUS SHELTER" AND A ‘TIN SHED", AND APOLOGISING TO VIRGIN BLUE PASSENGERS FOR HAVING TO USE IT. MEANWHILE, CEO BRETT GODFREY IS PROMOTING PLANS TO EXPAND THE SAME FACILITY WHICH HE HAS TOLD MEDIA IS PERFECT FOR HIS CUSTOMERS.
WHO DO WE BELIEVE…?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 7:
HOW CAN QANTAS AND SACL AGREE TO TERMS FOR QANTAS TO OPERATE OUT OF THE FORMER ANSETT TERMINAL, WITHOUT MEDIA STUNTS, WITHOUT THE THREAT OF LITIGATION AND THROUGH STANDARD COMMERCIAL NEGOTIATIONS, BUT VIRGIN BLUE CANNOT EVEN SIT AT THE TABLE?
After several media stunts, various press releases, an advertising campaign and now a publicity campaign, Virgin Blue have yet to sit down at the table and engage SACL in constructive commercial discussions over access to the terminal.
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 8:
WHY CAN VIRGIN BLUE AND PATRICK CORPORATION RUN A BUSINESS ON COMMERCIAL TERMS, DELIVERING A COMMERCIALLY ACCEPTED RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND PROFITABLE OUTCOME FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, BUT SYDNEY AIRPORT SHAREHOLDERS IS EXPECTED TO SUBSIDISE VIRGIN BLUE’S ACTIVITIES AT SYDNEY AIRPORT?
Does Virgin Blue object to Sydney Airport being operated commercially?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 9:
ACCORDING TO VIRGIN BLUE PRESS STATEMENTS, THE NEW TERMINAL FACILITIES IN MELBOURNE (FROM WHICH VIRGIN BLUE NOW OPERATES) MEET THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF VIRGIN BLUE PASSENGERS. BUT VIRGIN BLUE MANAGEMENT ‘S REFUSAL TO ENGAGE SACL IN COMMERCIAL DISCUSSIONS OVER ACCESS TO THE WORLD-CLASS FORMER ANSETT FACILITY IN SYDNEY EFFECTIVELY CONFINES THESE SAME PASSENGERS TO THE DOMESTIC EXPRESS TERMINAL IN SYDNEY?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 10:
WHY DID SIR RICHARD BRANSON HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY 30 AUGUST TO DENIGRATE ONE OF SACL'S SHAREHOLDERS AT THE VERY TIME WHEN SACL'S CEO WAS INVITING HIM MEET IN AN EFFORT TO SOLVE THE IMPASSE?
Is Sir Richard thinking of his passengers or the future public float prospects of his airline?
The travelling public deserve some answers. So do we, and so should the media.
http://www.sydneyairportmedia.com/upload/questions_for_virginblue_030902.htm
Any thoughts
Ten Questions for Virgin Blue to Answer
Virgin Blue asked Macquarie Airports shareholders 10 questions at the EGM today. Sydney Airport has been asking questions of Virgin Blue for some weeks. Here are 10 questions that should be put to Virgin Blue's two shareholders.
PLEASE EXPLAIN …No1:
IF A DEAL OVER ACCESS TO THE FORMER ANSETT TERMINAL AT SYDNEY AIRPORT WAS COMPLETED ON 18 APRIL 2002, AS VIRGIN BLUE CLAIM, WHY WAS VIRGIN BLUE STILL WRITING TO SACL ADVISING THAT THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES STILL TO RESOLVED AND REVIEWS YET TO BE UNDERTAKEN? FOR EXAMPLE:
Virgin Blue wrote to SACL on 1 May 2002 noting that
"…the amount proffered in the ‘discussion document’ between our respective principals was never considered by our Board nor agreed by our newest shareholder."
On 4 June, Virgin Blue wrote to SACL urging SACL to continue negotiations:
"…to finalise the agreement in the very near term".
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 2:
WHEN INTERVIEWED BY CHANNEL 9’S "BUSINESS SUNDAY" ON 9 JUNE 2002, VIRGIN BLUE’S CEO BRETT GODFREY SAID QUITE CLEARLY THAT VIRGIN BLUE AND SACL HAD YET TO COMPLETE A DEAL. (SEE BELOW). SOME TWO MONTHS LATER – VIRGIN BLUE IS CLAIMING THAT A DEAL WAS FINALISED ON 18 APRIL 2002 ? PLEASE EXPLAIN….?
NATIONAL NINE NETWORK : BUSINESS SUNDAY 8.40AM 9TH JUNE, 2002.
DISCUSSION ABOUT VIRGIN AIRLINES FUTURE STRATEGY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN AIRLINE MARKET.INTERVIEW WITH BRETT GODFREY, VIRGIN BLUE.
Virgin’s Brett Godfrey is talking to Helen McCombie.
BRETT GODFREY – VIRGIN BLUE:
Well, we’ve had tremendous discussions with Sydney Airport for a long time now on that and I think we’re pretty close, yeah.
REPORTER:
How close?
GODFREY:
Well, I’d be ready to sign. You know, we’ve been working on a term sheet for quite some time and I think there’s basically one substantive issue that, you know, I think is negotiable for a win-win and then it’s a matter of just being able to get in.
(THIS ISSUE WAS PRICE)
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No3:
IF A DEAL WAS COMPLETED ON 18 APRIL 2002 AS VIRGIN BLUE CLAIM, WHY WERE PUBLIC STATEMENTS BEING ISSUED BY VIRGIN BLUE THAT CLEARLY INDICATE THAT NEGOTIATIONS WERE STILL UNDERWAY?
In fact, in a 3 June press statement posted to their web site, Virgin Blue requested the federal government to stay out of the way of negotiations in early June 2002. Why would Virgin Blue need to ask the government this in June, if a deal was – as they continue to claim – completed on 18 April 2002?
3rd June 2002 (EXTRACTS BELOW)
VIRGIN BLUE REAFFIRMS ITS VIEW THAT AIRPORTS SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL
Virgin Blue is in advanced negotiations with a number of airports ….
In negotiations with all airports including Sydney, the airline has never asked to restrict access ….
In Sydney, Virgin Blue only expects to need six of the nine gates on Pier A, leaving three available for other carriers. It is not known how much of Pier B Qantas intends to use. Even if the entire Ansett facility is fully utilised in the future, there is still the Domestic Express Terminal, which is now successfully serving a fleet of 18 aircraft
Any attempts by the government to delay Virgin Blue’s negotiations with SACL will only further limit the airlines growth……
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 4:
AFTER CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO "MEDIATE", AND HAVING RECEIVED INFORMATION ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS "INTERVENTION", WHY HAVE VIRGIN BLUE NOT ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENT’S FINDINGS?
What are they hiding, and why is it not featuring as part of the media campaign they are continuing to run? Is it because the Government analyse did not back up their claims?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 5:
WHERE ARE THE NEW AIRCRAFT THAT VIRGIN BLUE SAY THEY HAVE ACQUIRED TO OPERATE IN AUSTRALIA?
Virgin blue’s David Huttner said in a recent press statement that SACL would be held liable for new aircraft purchased by Virgin Blue and now unable to be accommodated at the domestic express terminal. Where are these aircraft?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No6:
CHRIS CORRIGAN IS CALLING THE DOMESTIC EXPRESS TERMINAL AT SYDNEY AIRPORT A ‘BUS SHELTER" AND A ‘TIN SHED", AND APOLOGISING TO VIRGIN BLUE PASSENGERS FOR HAVING TO USE IT. MEANWHILE, CEO BRETT GODFREY IS PROMOTING PLANS TO EXPAND THE SAME FACILITY WHICH HE HAS TOLD MEDIA IS PERFECT FOR HIS CUSTOMERS.
WHO DO WE BELIEVE…?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 7:
HOW CAN QANTAS AND SACL AGREE TO TERMS FOR QANTAS TO OPERATE OUT OF THE FORMER ANSETT TERMINAL, WITHOUT MEDIA STUNTS, WITHOUT THE THREAT OF LITIGATION AND THROUGH STANDARD COMMERCIAL NEGOTIATIONS, BUT VIRGIN BLUE CANNOT EVEN SIT AT THE TABLE?
After several media stunts, various press releases, an advertising campaign and now a publicity campaign, Virgin Blue have yet to sit down at the table and engage SACL in constructive commercial discussions over access to the terminal.
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 8:
WHY CAN VIRGIN BLUE AND PATRICK CORPORATION RUN A BUSINESS ON COMMERCIAL TERMS, DELIVERING A COMMERCIALLY ACCEPTED RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND PROFITABLE OUTCOME FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS, BUT SYDNEY AIRPORT SHAREHOLDERS IS EXPECTED TO SUBSIDISE VIRGIN BLUE’S ACTIVITIES AT SYDNEY AIRPORT?
Does Virgin Blue object to Sydney Airport being operated commercially?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 9:
ACCORDING TO VIRGIN BLUE PRESS STATEMENTS, THE NEW TERMINAL FACILITIES IN MELBOURNE (FROM WHICH VIRGIN BLUE NOW OPERATES) MEET THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF VIRGIN BLUE PASSENGERS. BUT VIRGIN BLUE MANAGEMENT ‘S REFUSAL TO ENGAGE SACL IN COMMERCIAL DISCUSSIONS OVER ACCESS TO THE WORLD-CLASS FORMER ANSETT FACILITY IN SYDNEY EFFECTIVELY CONFINES THESE SAME PASSENGERS TO THE DOMESTIC EXPRESS TERMINAL IN SYDNEY?
PLEASE EXPLAIN…No 10:
WHY DID SIR RICHARD BRANSON HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY 30 AUGUST TO DENIGRATE ONE OF SACL'S SHAREHOLDERS AT THE VERY TIME WHEN SACL'S CEO WAS INVITING HIM MEET IN AN EFFORT TO SOLVE THE IMPASSE?
Is Sir Richard thinking of his passengers or the future public float prospects of his airline?
The travelling public deserve some answers. So do we, and so should the media.