PPRuNe Forums - Qantas is shrinking again

The spin coming out of the Jetstar Head Office is amazing - the PR people there must be so giddy it's a wonder they can function, and makes me wonder how they can be trusted with any of their communications. This is part of their recent PR release on Townsville:

Quote:

Jetstar grows Townsville services
Jetstar will boost its low fare domestic operations in Townsville by replacing Qantas mainline services between Townsville and Sydney from 29 October 2006.

Now operating Townsville - Sydney services 3 times weekly, Jetstar will grow to 5 times weekly operations on the direct route from this date.
Jetstar will operate Townsville – Sydney services each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday with common arrival and departure times - into Townsville at 820am and departing to Sydney at 850am.

Jetstar will also maintain its existing capacity on Townsville – Brisbane (daily) and Townville – Melbourne (3 times weekly) routes, building its overall Townsville operations to 15 return weekly services.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the airline’s growing operations from Townsville to the nation’s two largest cities endorsed the airline’s decision to commence in Townsville last October. He said from 29 October Jetstar would provide over 2650 direct inbound seats each week into Townsville with its network for services, following the introduction of additional Sydney flights.

“Jetstar’s operations in Townsville have proven successful to this time and we welcome the opportunity to further grow in a sustainable way,” Mr Joyce said. “Jetstar will be the only airline to offer direct services between Townsville to both Sydney and Melbourne.

“A 5 times per week offering on the Townsville – Sydney route at consistent departure times will we believe provide benefits to our customers and the region’s tourism industry to more easily market these services.

“Seat allocation will also occur on all Jetstar domestic flights operating on or after 4 October 2006.”

Jetstar has fares now available at Jetstar.com from $119 one way between Townsville and Sydney.

Mr Joyce said Jetstar’s fleet of A320s featured all leather, extra wide seats for 177 passengers and a high level of in-flight comfort, including eight channel audio entertainment, video on demand and hot meals for sale. The A320 also has improved freight capability through containerisation.

“All Jetstar ticket holders who are also Qantas Club Members continue to have access to Qantas Club lounges when travelling with Jetstar,” Mr Joyce said. “Qantas Frequent Flyer members can also earn Frequent Flyer points and Status credits when flying on a Jetstar JetFlex fare and have the ability to redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points on Jetstar flights.”

The heading suggests that Jetstar is doing the growing which is as far from the truth as you can get. I thought that Qantas handed the routes to them. Admittedly they are growing in the sense that they are increasing services three times a week but when one digs deeper, there is no growth at all. In fact, they are contributing to a reduction of services and seats by 2 frequencies a week ( QF operated 3, Jetstar operated 3) and reducing total seats by just over 120 a week. The premium end of the market will no longer have access to business class unless they want to travel via YBBN - how will this affect the Army and Defence brass?

What Jetstar is saying a little to clever by half and I wonder if they are treating their people in the same way. Be very careful as they become more brazen and have greater self-belief in their own value. I do feel saddened for the good people that have to tolerate this stuff.