Tiger accuses Qantas of low act
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Tiger accuses Qantas of low act
Tiger accuses Qantas of 'low act'
By Andrew Carswell
November 24, 2007
IT MAY well have got its debut flights off the ground successfully yesterday, but Tiger Airways has flown into immediate turbulence.
The newcomer was forced to cancel its flights into Alice Springs until March due to a nasty spat with Qantas over ground-handling services.
Qantas, the monopoly provider of ground-handling services at Alice Springs airport, has told Tiger Airways it will not provide any form of ground-handling services to the firm at any price.
The Singapore Airlines offshoot was due to start a tri-weekly service from Melbourne next Saturday. The services will now start on March 1, with affected passengers being refunded their fares.
Tiger Airways boss Tony Davis said it was a low act by Qantas that failed to help the local market.
"The behaviour of Qantas shows their contempt for the people of Alice Springs and certainly shows why Qantas is so desperate to maintain its dominance of the Australian domestic market," Mr Davis said. "But we are made of sterner stuff and there is no doubt that Tiger Airways will operate to Alice Springs."
Qantas, whose budget offshoot airline Jetstar is locked in a heated battle with Tiger over the delivery of ultra-cheap fares, could not miss the opportunity to hurt its rivals.
"Assisting competitors is not part of my job description," Qantas general manager John Borghetti said. "It is normal practice for any business to have all its arrangements in place before it starts operations."
Tiger launched its first domestic flights out of Melbourne yesterday to the Gold Coast, Mackay and Rockhampton. It will launch its first services from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, Darwin, Launceston and Perth next week.
By Andrew Carswell
November 24, 2007
IT MAY well have got its debut flights off the ground successfully yesterday, but Tiger Airways has flown into immediate turbulence.
The newcomer was forced to cancel its flights into Alice Springs until March due to a nasty spat with Qantas over ground-handling services.
Qantas, the monopoly provider of ground-handling services at Alice Springs airport, has told Tiger Airways it will not provide any form of ground-handling services to the firm at any price.
The Singapore Airlines offshoot was due to start a tri-weekly service from Melbourne next Saturday. The services will now start on March 1, with affected passengers being refunded their fares.
Tiger Airways boss Tony Davis said it was a low act by Qantas that failed to help the local market.
"The behaviour of Qantas shows their contempt for the people of Alice Springs and certainly shows why Qantas is so desperate to maintain its dominance of the Australian domestic market," Mr Davis said. "But we are made of sterner stuff and there is no doubt that Tiger Airways will operate to Alice Springs."
Qantas, whose budget offshoot airline Jetstar is locked in a heated battle with Tiger over the delivery of ultra-cheap fares, could not miss the opportunity to hurt its rivals.
"Assisting competitors is not part of my job description," Qantas general manager John Borghetti said. "It is normal practice for any business to have all its arrangements in place before it starts operations."
Tiger launched its first domestic flights out of Melbourne yesterday to the Gold Coast, Mackay and Rockhampton. It will launch its first services from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, Darwin, Launceston and Perth next week.
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an article in the australian includes this interesting quote.
Tiger chief executive Tony Davis said it was common practice for airlines to undertake ground-handling for third parties at commercial rates and noted that major Tiger shareholder Singapore Airlines provided ground-handling for Qantas and Jetstar in Singapore.
Tiger chief executive Tony Davis said it was common practice for airlines to undertake ground-handling for third parties at commercial rates and noted that major Tiger shareholder Singapore Airlines provided ground-handling for Qantas and Jetstar in Singapore.
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Funny how things change.
When Compass was operating, Qantas provided certain services at commercial rates, it was Ansett that refused any assistance anywhere at any price.
Maybe Qantas are now in a more desperate position, as Ansett was back then?
When Compass was operating, Qantas provided certain services at commercial rates, it was Ansett that refused any assistance anywhere at any price.
Maybe Qantas are now in a more desperate position, as Ansett was back then?
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Do the maths
While this response from QF would appear to be/is a stuff you type of decision perhaps the additional resources and staff required to handle this type of contract just wouldn't be worth the expense to QF for what Tiger would have been willing to pay.
Until the true figures are laid out in front of you to digest we can only assume it's sour grapes.
Mind you SQ didn't hesistate on giving QF the flick in AUS for all handling and engineering services did they!
Until the true figures are laid out in front of you to digest we can only assume it's sour grapes.
Mind you SQ didn't hesistate on giving QF the flick in AUS for all handling and engineering services did they!
Tiger are kidding themselves. QF serve Alice Springs from every city in Australia daily and they reckon they're doing everyone a favour with one flight a day from Melbourne! Bunch of wingers.
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Qantas and Virgin lend spare parts for the 737 to each other, as Ansett and Qantas did previously.
Ansett and TAA used to freely lend spares, despite all the hype about competition, and then sometimes a flight would be held (delayed) for a short time in order to carry the spares to the opposition's aircraft at another port.
In the Ansett/TAA days we even used to sometimes work on the others aircraft, you wouldn't get that now.
Things changed dramatically with the arrival of the "discount" Airlines, Ansett even refused to carry AOG spares for Compass at full freight rates, until it was pointed out that they were in breach of IATA Regulations.
You don't have to go out of your way to help your opposition, but there are some rules and regulations.
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What'd the White Rat do wrong? Wheres the law that says it has to help out a competiter in any way? Its a brave new
world Downunder - gone are the days of cooperation and its mutual business advantage spinoffs unless theres huge bucks in it for both. A low-cost outfit like Go cat probabley offered 3/5ths of 5/8ths of FA anyway for ASP ground-handleing. And QF is right saying about all these arangements shouldve been in place before comencement of operations.
Go cat said it works off the Ryanair model. What works for Ryanair in Europe doesnt necesarily work everywhere else. THIS TIME Go cat is competing on the White Rats home turf. QF gave it a bloodey good realitey kick in the @rse.
world Downunder - gone are the days of cooperation and its mutual business advantage spinoffs unless theres huge bucks in it for both. A low-cost outfit like Go cat probabley offered 3/5ths of 5/8ths of FA anyway for ASP ground-handleing. And QF is right saying about all these arangements shouldve been in place before comencement of operations.
Go cat said it works off the Ryanair model. What works for Ryanair in Europe doesnt necesarily work everywhere else. THIS TIME Go cat is competing on the White Rats home turf. QF gave it a bloodey good realitey kick in the @rse.
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Is there a contract existing between the airport and QF handling that gives them exclusivity on services? (ie no other ground handlers could start working there?)
Whilst I can see why the big red rat wouldn't want to help a competitor, if the airport has no other options for ground handling and QF are refusing to service Tiger because they're a competitor, it sounds like it could fall into ACCC anti competition regs territory if someone was to get narky. (not necessarily that they'd WIN, but I can see a bit of a song and dance go on)
Why on Earth didn't Tiger sort this out earlier than now?
What else have they not sorted out?
Whilst I can see why the big red rat wouldn't want to help a competitor, if the airport has no other options for ground handling and QF are refusing to service Tiger because they're a competitor, it sounds like it could fall into ACCC anti competition regs territory if someone was to get narky. (not necessarily that they'd WIN, but I can see a bit of a song and dance go on)
Why on Earth didn't Tiger sort this out earlier than now?
What else have they not sorted out?
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Well Virgin managed to organise their own ground staff when they were there so I can't see what Tiger's problem is. They will have their own carousel and plenty of checkin bays there. You would find that if QF took on the job they would have to buy plenty of new gear, ship it up to Alice Springs, and then hire more people for just 3 flights a week!!
Personally I think that the Tiger reaction is totally unrealistic. Sure ask QF if they're interested but don't make a big deal through the media if they say no.
The article has an error in it too Qantas don't have a monopoly on ground services at Alice Springs, anyone can start up a ground services company and offer ground support if they want to. I just think you will find that it is not worth the effort for 3 flights a week.
Personally I think that the Tiger reaction is totally unrealistic. Sure ask QF if they're interested but don't make a big deal through the media if they say no.
The article has an error in it too Qantas don't have a monopoly on ground services at Alice Springs, anyone can start up a ground services company and offer ground support if they want to. I just think you will find that it is not worth the effort for 3 flights a week.
aerocare used to handle virgin when they were serving ASP but hell of a job to set up a ground handling operation for 3 flights a week...and try and maintain staff in the current climate.
my query is who is doing the handling from march?
my query is who is doing the handling from march?