Qantas ripe for Private Equity takeover
Nunc est bibendum
Curious how its too dangerous for one part of the group, yet quite acceptable for another part.
Funny how that works.
Funny how that works.
Perhaps J*'s statement about adhering to all of QF's safety standards doesn't hold much water when put to the test. Didn't we discuss that recently WRT the recruitment of crew?
Do J* crew submit fatigue reports at the conclusion of a tour of duty such as an overnight SYD-PER-SYD highlighting the issue and any errors they may have made? If not, why not?
Last edited by Keg; 17th Jul 2012 at 12:53.
Having flown more SYD-PER-SYD sectors on overnights than I care to remember I can honestly say these are one of the worst possible flights for fatigue I ever came across.
In terms of duty, they're similar to say a SYD-NRT with a diversion to Guam and and a two hour refuel. (You end upon the ground in PER for two hours or so to comply with SYD curfew).
The departure out of PER is about 3am body clock time for east coast based crew and from about 20,000' on climb until the adrenaline kicks in three hours later at about 6am on arrival in SYD that crew is basically non compos.
The idea of doing it two pilot return ex SYD is nuts. Just because it's legal (under the exemption not plain old CAO48) doesn't make it safe.
Sorry for the thread drift.
In terms of duty, they're similar to say a SYD-NRT with a diversion to Guam and and a two hour refuel. (You end upon the ground in PER for two hours or so to comply with SYD curfew).
The departure out of PER is about 3am body clock time for east coast based crew and from about 20,000' on climb until the adrenaline kicks in three hours later at about 6am on arrival in SYD that crew is basically non compos.
The idea of doing it two pilot return ex SYD is nuts. Just because it's legal (under the exemption not plain old CAO48) doesn't make it safe.
Sorry for the thread drift.
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qantas should be making a nice profit from the reduction in jet fuel prices, last increase in the fuel surcharge was march at the top of the curve US$3.26 per gallon. this has dropped to US$2.68 as of june. this is west coast USA price. couldn't easily find the singapore chart. how long before someone in the media figures this out and starts asking questions.... sorry about thread drift
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Jet Fuel Price
Indamiddle,
I agree re jet fuel prices. It occurred to me that given the high load factors across the international network that part of our massive losses (alleged or perhaps true) may in part be due to some fuel hedging gone wrong.
Nigel
I agree re jet fuel prices. It occurred to me that given the high load factors across the international network that part of our massive losses (alleged or perhaps true) may in part be due to some fuel hedging gone wrong.
Nigel
Nigel747,
they have a history of harping on about what financial geniuses they are when through dumb luck they get hedging right.
The deafening silence you hear on the matter now might very well suggest you are right.
they have a history of harping on about what financial geniuses they are when through dumb luck they get hedging right.
The deafening silence you hear on the matter now might very well suggest you are right.
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Wouldnt be the first time hedging has bitten them. They managed to get 2 of the head clowns locked up in Vietnam because of their "best practice" fuel hedging losses, I wonder when they repaid the Vietnamese government to which brand the losses were attributed?
I cannot believe anyone would do a SYD-PER-SYD back of the clock, with 2 hour turn, that is criminal...
I cannot believe anyone would do a SYD-PER-SYD back of the clock, with 2 hour turn, that is criminal...
Last edited by scandistralian; 18th Jul 2012 at 05:54.
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Im pretty sure it not just fuel hedging, QF is also exposed to currency hedging.
The "brains trust" looking after these policies will have to be MENSA champions to have half a chance at success at a fuel hedging program over the next few years.
High fuel prices always precede a recession (although no one seems to want to ever use that word anymore). We can expect fuel prices to go down sharply over the next few years as the economy picks up. "Peak oil" is absolute rubbish but its concept provides a nice "mantra" for the masses. The price of oil is a geopolitical tool. So is the price of Iron ore. I don't think this is a great "secret" to anyone.
We can also expect the OZ dollar to correct towards its long term average of 85c - although I think 65c will be more accurate when the commodity prices correct - which they will.
I know Southwest made a shrewd fuel hedge some years ago and it has become fashionable to "provide certainty to the business", but in my humble opinion, a zero hedge policy will be far better over the next decade.
A fuel surcharge if there is an "oil crisis" would be a necessary evil I suppose but as an Airlines biggest expense this could get really, really ugly. Oil was 15 dollars a barrel as recent as 1999 and that is about its cost to extract and supply - believe it or not!!!!!!
The "brains trust" looking after these policies will have to be MENSA champions to have half a chance at success at a fuel hedging program over the next few years.
High fuel prices always precede a recession (although no one seems to want to ever use that word anymore). We can expect fuel prices to go down sharply over the next few years as the economy picks up. "Peak oil" is absolute rubbish but its concept provides a nice "mantra" for the masses. The price of oil is a geopolitical tool. So is the price of Iron ore. I don't think this is a great "secret" to anyone.
We can also expect the OZ dollar to correct towards its long term average of 85c - although I think 65c will be more accurate when the commodity prices correct - which they will.
I know Southwest made a shrewd fuel hedge some years ago and it has become fashionable to "provide certainty to the business", but in my humble opinion, a zero hedge policy will be far better over the next decade.
A fuel surcharge if there is an "oil crisis" would be a necessary evil I suppose but as an Airlines biggest expense this could get really, really ugly. Oil was 15 dollars a barrel as recent as 1999 and that is about its cost to extract and supply - believe it or not!!!!!!
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Do J* crew submit fatigue reports at the conclusion of a tour of duty such as an overnight SYD-PER-SYD highlighting the issue and any errors they may have made? If not, why not?
Here we go again.
QF Group gets new General Counsel
The Qantas (QF) Group’s General Counsel Brett Johnson will retire in October 2012, making way for newcomer Andrew Finch in November.
QF’s chief executive officer Alan Joyce announced Mr Johnson’s departure and wished him well during the next stage of his career.
“Brett has had a major impact on the success of Qantas and his sound advice to the Board and me has been invaluable over many years.”
“Being General Counsel of this great Australian icon has been an honour and I have enjoyed working with all Qantas employees, particularly the great professionals within Qantas Legal,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson’s successor, Andrew Finch join Qantas from Allens, where he specialled in corporate law and was a partner of the company since 2002.
Mr Johnson will assist with Mr Finch's transition and will remain as a consultant with Qantas.
QF Group gets new General Counsel - People On The Move - etravelblackboard.com
Andrew Finch join Qantas from Allens, where he specialled in corporate
law
but wait, there's more, Allens: Our lawyers: Search shows that his area of expertise is, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Private Equity
QF Group gets new General Counsel
The Qantas (QF) Group’s General Counsel Brett Johnson will retire in October 2012, making way for newcomer Andrew Finch in November.
QF’s chief executive officer Alan Joyce announced Mr Johnson’s departure and wished him well during the next stage of his career.
“Brett has had a major impact on the success of Qantas and his sound advice to the Board and me has been invaluable over many years.”
“Being General Counsel of this great Australian icon has been an honour and I have enjoyed working with all Qantas employees, particularly the great professionals within Qantas Legal,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson’s successor, Andrew Finch join Qantas from Allens, where he specialled in corporate law and was a partner of the company since 2002.
Mr Johnson will assist with Mr Finch's transition and will remain as a consultant with Qantas.
Andrew Finch join Qantas from Allens, where he specialled in corporate
law
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Quote:
Andrew Finch join Qantas from Allens, where he specialled in corporate
law
but wait, there's more, Allens: Our lawyers: Search shows that his area of expertise is, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Private Equity
Andrew Finch join Qantas from Allens, where he specialled in corporate
law
but wait, there's more, Allens: Our lawyers: Search shows that his area of expertise is, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Private Equity
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...AND THE CLEANOUT CONTINUES ...!!
Is it true that a swag of Q freight people have just been given the heave-ho?
So is the cleanout continuing, such that the present "shareholders" are the one's being subjected to the cost of redundancies so that when the PE takeover occurs, the new management have a clean track?
Role on....
So is the cleanout continuing, such that the present "shareholders" are the one's being subjected to the cost of redundancies so that when the PE takeover occurs, the new management have a clean track?
Role on....
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A lot going on this week....
and more on this,
Qantas GCs grounded | Lawyers Weekly
I see that Allens assisted in the attempt at the takeover of QANTAS by a private equity group!!! Could it happen again?
Qantas shares soar on tie-up speculation
Qantas shares soar on tie-up speculation
AAP
Shares in Qantas Airways have soared around seven per cent, following reports that the national carrier is set to establish an alliance with the world's largest international airline, Dubai-based Emirates.
At 1141 AEST on Thursday, Qantas shares were 6.5 cents, or 6.57 per cent, higher at $1.055, after reaching 107.5 cents in early trading on the Australian Securities Exchange.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Thursday that Qantas was working on a tie-up with Emirates that could boost Qantas's ailing international operations.
A code-sharing deal would result in Qantas flying to Dubai, and Emirates transferring passengers to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The media report said that Qantas was set to withdraw from its last remaining port in mainland Europe, Frankfurt, and route many of its London flights through Dubai instead of Singapore.
The alliance would give Qantas the option of retiring aircraft early or pushing into Asia more aggressively.
A Qantas spokeswoman said that at any one time, Qantas was talking to a number of airlines about a number of initiatives.
"However, we don't confirm or deny who we are in discussions with," she said
Qantas shares soar on tie-up speculation
AAP
Shares in Qantas Airways have soared around seven per cent, following reports that the national carrier is set to establish an alliance with the world's largest international airline, Dubai-based Emirates.
At 1141 AEST on Thursday, Qantas shares were 6.5 cents, or 6.57 per cent, higher at $1.055, after reaching 107.5 cents in early trading on the Australian Securities Exchange.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Thursday that Qantas was working on a tie-up with Emirates that could boost Qantas's ailing international operations.
A code-sharing deal would result in Qantas flying to Dubai, and Emirates transferring passengers to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The media report said that Qantas was set to withdraw from its last remaining port in mainland Europe, Frankfurt, and route many of its London flights through Dubai instead of Singapore.
The alliance would give Qantas the option of retiring aircraft early or pushing into Asia more aggressively.
A Qantas spokeswoman said that at any one time, Qantas was talking to a number of airlines about a number of initiatives.
"However, we don't confirm or deny who we are in discussions with," she said
Qantas GCs grounded | Lawyers Weekly
Qantas GCs grounded
Allens partner Andrew Finch (pictured) will replace Brett Johnson as the general counsel of Qantas, with the airline gagging both men from talking to the media.
On Monday (23 July), Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced that Brett Johnson would be stepping down from his 17-year tenure as general counsel.
“Brett has had a major impact on the success of Qantas and his sound advice to the board and me has been invaluable over many years,” said Joyce in a statement.
Joyce also announced that Finch, a partner at Allens since 2002 who counts Qantas as a client, would step into Johnson’s shoes on 1 November, with Johnson staying at the airline until the end of October.
Lawyers Weekly approached Qantas to speak with Johnson, but that request was declined.
Lawyers Weekly also approached Allens to speak to Finch, but that request was also declined at the request of Qantas, who have barred him from media interviews.
Finch is officially at Allens until the end of October, but it is not known if he will remain an active member of the partnership for the duration of that period.
A Sydney-based corporate heavy-hitter, Finch is no stranger to the corridors of Qantas HQ.
He acted for Qantas with regard to the proposed $10 billion merger with British Airways in late 2008, which was abandoned.
He also acted for Hutchison Telecommunications on its 2009 merger with Vodafone and also counts Brambles Industries and Leighton Holdings as clients.
Firms’ friend
Qantas uses a number of law firms, with the airline coming under the microscope of legal bodies and regulators regularly over the last few years due to its involvement in a price-fixing cartel and its stoush with its pilots, ground staff and engineers, which came to a head in October last year when the entire fleet was grounded.
Freehills acted for Qantas in its dispute with its workers and union groups, with Melbourne-based employee relations partner Graeme Smith leading his firm’s team.
In November 2007, Qantas was fined $US61 million by the US Justice Department after it pleaded guilty to price fixing in the air freight industry. It received a $20 million penalty from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2008 for breaching price-fixing rules, and in November 2010 the European Commission fined the airline carrier $12.1 million.
Johnson Winter & Slattery has acted for Qantas with regard to investigations by competition regulators.
In January 2011 Qantas settled an American class action for $US26.5 million. That settlement was negotiated by Qantas' US legal advisers, Todd Miller and Kimberly Shaw, from Washington DC firm Baker & Miller.
Allen & Overy and Minter Ellison have also acted for Qantas on corporate matters.
Allens partner Andrew Finch (pictured) will replace Brett Johnson as the general counsel of Qantas, with the airline gagging both men from talking to the media.
On Monday (23 July), Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced that Brett Johnson would be stepping down from his 17-year tenure as general counsel.
“Brett has had a major impact on the success of Qantas and his sound advice to the board and me has been invaluable over many years,” said Joyce in a statement.
Joyce also announced that Finch, a partner at Allens since 2002 who counts Qantas as a client, would step into Johnson’s shoes on 1 November, with Johnson staying at the airline until the end of October.
Lawyers Weekly approached Qantas to speak with Johnson, but that request was declined.
Lawyers Weekly also approached Allens to speak to Finch, but that request was also declined at the request of Qantas, who have barred him from media interviews.
Finch is officially at Allens until the end of October, but it is not known if he will remain an active member of the partnership for the duration of that period.
A Sydney-based corporate heavy-hitter, Finch is no stranger to the corridors of Qantas HQ.
He acted for Qantas with regard to the proposed $10 billion merger with British Airways in late 2008, which was abandoned.
He also acted for Hutchison Telecommunications on its 2009 merger with Vodafone and also counts Brambles Industries and Leighton Holdings as clients.
Firms’ friend
Qantas uses a number of law firms, with the airline coming under the microscope of legal bodies and regulators regularly over the last few years due to its involvement in a price-fixing cartel and its stoush with its pilots, ground staff and engineers, which came to a head in October last year when the entire fleet was grounded.
Freehills acted for Qantas in its dispute with its workers and union groups, with Melbourne-based employee relations partner Graeme Smith leading his firm’s team.
In November 2007, Qantas was fined $US61 million by the US Justice Department after it pleaded guilty to price fixing in the air freight industry. It received a $20 million penalty from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2008 for breaching price-fixing rules, and in November 2010 the European Commission fined the airline carrier $12.1 million.
Johnson Winter & Slattery has acted for Qantas with regard to investigations by competition regulators.
In January 2011 Qantas settled an American class action for $US26.5 million. That settlement was negotiated by Qantas' US legal advisers, Todd Miller and Kimberly Shaw, from Washington DC firm Baker & Miller.
Allen & Overy and Minter Ellison have also acted for Qantas on corporate matters.
Last edited by TIMA9X; 26th Jul 2012 at 04:12.
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and this just in.... from Ben S
Qantas has nothing material to say about Emirates stories | Plane Talking
Qantas has informed the ASX that it has nothing material to report concerning a possible commercial deal with Emirates.
This is its statement:
It should be noted that there is nothing wrong with the AFR story that caused the excitement, and a share price upswing this morning.
That report was qualified and detailed. And correct. The response in some media was to treat it as a done deal about to be announced.
Qantas has informed the ASX that it has nothing material to report concerning a possible commercial deal with Emirates.
This is its statement:
It should be noted that there is nothing wrong with the AFR story that caused the excitement, and a share price upswing this morning.
That report was qualified and detailed. And correct. The response in some media was to treat it as a done deal about to be announced.
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"route many of its London flights through Dubai rather than Singapore"
Like 2 of them ?! How will BA, AF, AY JL and MU feel without the feed? If QF were to adopt a dual hub SIN DXB stategy (SIN for Asia and DXB for Europe), I'm not sure it will work out. They barely have feed into Europe anyway, and sending some flights to SIN and some flights to DXB will be problematic since besides SYD and PER, the other destinations are only served daily. And then you have Jetstar Intl CNS/DRW to SIN.
Like 2 of them ?! How will BA, AF, AY JL and MU feel without the feed? If QF were to adopt a dual hub SIN DXB stategy (SIN for Asia and DXB for Europe), I'm not sure it will work out. They barely have feed into Europe anyway, and sending some flights to SIN and some flights to DXB will be problematic since besides SYD and PER, the other destinations are only served daily. And then you have Jetstar Intl CNS/DRW to SIN.
