Breaking News: Ansett denies VB terminal access for new routes
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Breaking News: Ansett denies VB terminal access for new routes
Virgin Blue Will Defy Ansett's Attempt to Block Low Fare Competition
Virgin Blue confirmed today that it would not cancel any of its flights despite Ansett's endeavour to stifle competition by the withdrawal of terminal access without warning and within 24 hours of the start of new services.
The move, which demonstrates behaviour not seen since the days of Compass, has forced Virgin Blue to call out extra staff to prepare for manual boarding and baggage handling processes at both Launceston and Canberra to insure any delays to passengers are minimised.
Ansett's sudden action comes on the eve of the launch of Virgin Blue's first flight between Canberra and Melbourne and the addition of a second daily service between Launceston and Melbourne.
While Virgin Blue acknowledges that no formal contract had been finalised, Virgin Blue’s long standing use of Ansett facilities and the lack of any indication to the contrary, led Virgin Blue to believe that Ansett would continue to honour standard industry practices.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey stated "Since these facilities are virtually unutilised, this clearly reflects a policy that is solely focused on damaging people's travel plans at the last moment. We believe an airline should be looking at how to get passengers on its own flights instead of trying to inconvenience those who chose to travel with another carrier. In any case, it shows that a company that has proclaimed to be 'Flying for Australia' is in fact only focused on being vindictive and clearly not acting very Australian.”
Brett Godfrey added, "For all Tesna's talk about being ‘the spirit of competition’, clearly this view doesn't apply to the routes they fly. If their business plan requires Australia to return to the traditional airline environment where low fare operators are stifled while high priced duopoly rips off the travelling public, they may be disappointed since Virgin Blue will be around for a lot longer than Compass".
He concluded by noting, "It is unheard of for an Administrator to be turning away the tens of thousands of dollars we were expecting to pay for terminal access between now and January 31. Clearly the creditors as well as the staff who hope to receive more than their minimum entitlements need to start asking just how many millions of dollars has Ansett lost or is expecting to lose in the next two months?"
Virgin Blue hired hundreds of staff since the collapse of Ansett, with a large percentage of recent intakes including former Ansett employees.
The airline has also signed numerous corporate contracts with former Ansett key accounts left stranded by the airline's collapse.
Virgin Blue has faced a variety of challenges since day 1 and the company is confident that it will overcome this one in the same way it has done with the others. The airline has always stated that Australia can support three well-run airlines that are focused on their customers and operate in the spirit of fair competition that exists elsewhere.
The airline will spend the next 24 hours focusing on taking measures to ensure that all of its guests are provided with Virgin Blue's award winning service and minimal delays to their travel plans.
In light of the special situation, Virgin Blue ask guests to try and check-in 60 minutes prior to departure to ensure an on-time departure.
Virgin Blue, Australia’s only true low fare airline, will be servicing every state and territory by Christmas, with its fleet of brand new Next Generation Boeing 737 aircraft
[ 29 November 2001: Message edited by: Wirraway ]
Virgin Blue confirmed today that it would not cancel any of its flights despite Ansett's endeavour to stifle competition by the withdrawal of terminal access without warning and within 24 hours of the start of new services.
The move, which demonstrates behaviour not seen since the days of Compass, has forced Virgin Blue to call out extra staff to prepare for manual boarding and baggage handling processes at both Launceston and Canberra to insure any delays to passengers are minimised.
Ansett's sudden action comes on the eve of the launch of Virgin Blue's first flight between Canberra and Melbourne and the addition of a second daily service between Launceston and Melbourne.
While Virgin Blue acknowledges that no formal contract had been finalised, Virgin Blue’s long standing use of Ansett facilities and the lack of any indication to the contrary, led Virgin Blue to believe that Ansett would continue to honour standard industry practices.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey stated "Since these facilities are virtually unutilised, this clearly reflects a policy that is solely focused on damaging people's travel plans at the last moment. We believe an airline should be looking at how to get passengers on its own flights instead of trying to inconvenience those who chose to travel with another carrier. In any case, it shows that a company that has proclaimed to be 'Flying for Australia' is in fact only focused on being vindictive and clearly not acting very Australian.”
Brett Godfrey added, "For all Tesna's talk about being ‘the spirit of competition’, clearly this view doesn't apply to the routes they fly. If their business plan requires Australia to return to the traditional airline environment where low fare operators are stifled while high priced duopoly rips off the travelling public, they may be disappointed since Virgin Blue will be around for a lot longer than Compass".
He concluded by noting, "It is unheard of for an Administrator to be turning away the tens of thousands of dollars we were expecting to pay for terminal access between now and January 31. Clearly the creditors as well as the staff who hope to receive more than their minimum entitlements need to start asking just how many millions of dollars has Ansett lost or is expecting to lose in the next two months?"
Virgin Blue hired hundreds of staff since the collapse of Ansett, with a large percentage of recent intakes including former Ansett employees.
The airline has also signed numerous corporate contracts with former Ansett key accounts left stranded by the airline's collapse.
Virgin Blue has faced a variety of challenges since day 1 and the company is confident that it will overcome this one in the same way it has done with the others. The airline has always stated that Australia can support three well-run airlines that are focused on their customers and operate in the spirit of fair competition that exists elsewhere.
The airline will spend the next 24 hours focusing on taking measures to ensure that all of its guests are provided with Virgin Blue's award winning service and minimal delays to their travel plans.
In light of the special situation, Virgin Blue ask guests to try and check-in 60 minutes prior to departure to ensure an on-time departure.
Virgin Blue, Australia’s only true low fare airline, will be servicing every state and territory by Christmas, with its fleet of brand new Next Generation Boeing 737 aircraft
[ 29 November 2001: Message edited by: Wirraway ]
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That is why on another thread, I said it was gross hypocrisy for Ansett to advertise as "The Spirit Of Competition"... 
This merely helps prove my point, Ansett are the worst thing ever to happen for competition and deregulation......
Yet Fox wanted all those Government hand outs, and restrictions placed on Qantas....
This merely helps prove my point, Ansett are the worst thing ever to happen for competition and deregulation......
Yet Fox wanted all those Government hand outs, and restrictions placed on Qantas....
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So now it is okay for Virgin and QF to try and stop AN at every post.
Come on,, give it a break. AN has every right exercise control over its leases and terminals.
QF did everything they could to vacillate over the leases of the A320's in September. All they were ever intending to do was stop AN ever getting up again.
Or is it that different rules of competition apply to Ansett now?
Come on,, give it a break. AN has every right exercise control over its leases and terminals.
QF did everything they could to vacillate over the leases of the A320's in September. All they were ever intending to do was stop AN ever getting up again.
Or is it that different rules of competition apply to Ansett now?
Evertonian
What a whinger! I bet he's short too!!
So, fine, why should they lease terminal space to a company that is trying to take AN's position in the market? Why should they be fair to a company that has slashed working conditions in this industry from excessive to marginally better than the dole? Why support a company that is trying everything to stop AN remaining in the skys by buying some of it's assets and, like QF, stalling final decisions when timing is everything? Why should the administrators accept what DJ want to pay? Why can't they set their own price?
Brett, the engines have stopped. You can stop whineing now!
So, fine, why should they lease terminal space to a company that is trying to take AN's position in the market? Why should they be fair to a company that has slashed working conditions in this industry from excessive to marginally better than the dole? Why support a company that is trying everything to stop AN remaining in the skys by buying some of it's assets and, like QF, stalling final decisions when timing is everything? Why should the administrators accept what DJ want to pay? Why can't they set their own price?
Brett, the engines have stopped. You can stop whineing now!
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Strobes you are forgetting one thing. Ansett was recieving thousands of dollars a week from Virgin using its facilities.This money flows down the line to creditors and staff entitlements.So Fox/Lew decide to cut out Virgin and in doing so gives less money to the Ansett group.This wont have a huge effect on VB (sure a big inconvienience,but nothing major),so the plan sort of backfires as those travelling on VB that normally would have travelled on Ansett will now be told of the dirty tricks that they are playing, in turn disrupting their holiday plans,resulting in them being Ansett clients no more.
Silly plan FOX/LEW
Silly plan FOX/LEW
Evertonian
They could always offer to but it from Ansett, but, then again, no. Let them build their own terminal & infrastructure like AN & QF had to.
DJ now, more than ever, remind me of those cartoon vultures, circling their prey. No, the gloves are well & truly off now!
DJ now, more than ever, remind me of those cartoon vultures, circling their prey. No, the gloves are well & truly off now!
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Whinging,whining poms.Give as good as you get.You need some AN staff,especially people who can be check capts immediatly or cabin crew with a little bit of supervisory ability to prevent more slides being blown!
Your value will be halved or even quartered with the tactics you have used on AN reciprocated.This is good for the eventual tie up.250 million was too much a few months ago!
Careful what you say today as who knows what tomorrow will bring-especialy with AN and VB.
LAME,you aren`t angry,you hate Ansett!
Your value will be halved or even quartered with the tactics you have used on AN reciprocated.This is good for the eventual tie up.250 million was too much a few months ago!
Careful what you say today as who knows what tomorrow will bring-especialy with AN and VB.
LAME,you aren`t angry,you hate Ansett!
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All pretty standard stuff really. You don't see Qantas offering to help Virgin out by freeing up some space for them. I am sure that AN staff are still wondering why they provided help for Virgin at all up until September 14 (all to make money according to management at the time) . Well I am afraid that technically Fox/Lew now are in a transitional period so they have full rights to impress upon the administrators how they want things run. As for the ramblings of the Virgin CEO I am afraid that Qantas would love a little duopoly with Virgin under the thumb and airfares set as required. I am afraid that I have to take a lot of what is reported with a high degree of salt. Simple business boys as Fox/Lew set the scene for future dealings with Virgin. There won't be any I would imagine.....
Nunc est bibendum
It won't be if they end up liquidating!!
Besides, who is the only potential buyer out there. VB can virtually name their price if/when the fire sale comes. What choice will the liquidators have then. They could have least got some income along the way!
Besides, who is the only potential buyer out there. VB can virtually name their price if/when the fire sale comes. What choice will the liquidators have then. They could have least got some income along the way!
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Ansett could be genuinely concerned about actually receiving payment from VB bearing in mind other probs RB has.Any way it looks like the line in the sand is being drawn by the new owners.Good!!!,
Evertonian
You mean $656 per fortnight foxtrotter?? I rest my case.
There's more to it than a throwaway line about wages. Conditions are vastly different and, sure, some people are happy to accept that & I don't begrudge them that choice, however, awards were set at an standard for all paties, and I'm happy to accept that they were generous to the employees, but you don't go from 1 extreme to another. Don't think I'm light on the ACTU for this either...far from the truth.
At the end of the day it's simple really.
1. AN want Federal assistance whilst they attempt to regain marketshare. (DJ, rightly or wrongly, argue it's not fair blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile, accepted QLD govt. tax breaks for startup)
2. DJ want terminal access at various ports to continue expansion, also want a folded Asett's terminals full stop. (AN makes blocking moves, rightly or wrongly, to thwart DJ's expansionist plans and continue AN's own survival chances.)
The bottom line is, if it was your business would you (a) Help a direct competitor expand into your territory at every opportunity? (b) Accept that it's "Not Australian" to ask for handouts & benefits to get a leg up? (c) $crew any other BA$TARD that tries to $crew you first?
Lock in C Eddie!!!
There's more to it than a throwaway line about wages. Conditions are vastly different and, sure, some people are happy to accept that & I don't begrudge them that choice, however, awards were set at an standard for all paties, and I'm happy to accept that they were generous to the employees, but you don't go from 1 extreme to another. Don't think I'm light on the ACTU for this either...far from the truth.
At the end of the day it's simple really.
1. AN want Federal assistance whilst they attempt to regain marketshare. (DJ, rightly or wrongly, argue it's not fair blah, blah, blah. Meanwhile, accepted QLD govt. tax breaks for startup)
2. DJ want terminal access at various ports to continue expansion, also want a folded Asett's terminals full stop. (AN makes blocking moves, rightly or wrongly, to thwart DJ's expansionist plans and continue AN's own survival chances.)
The bottom line is, if it was your business would you (a) Help a direct competitor expand into your territory at every opportunity? (b) Accept that it's "Not Australian" to ask for handouts & benefits to get a leg up? (c) $crew any other BA$TARD that tries to $crew you first?
Lock in C Eddie!!!
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Buster,
get into them.
Keg,
administrators not liquidators.Your QF,p$ss off and let us fight for the scraps-for the time being.
By the way,was that you dragging your a$$ into Mel today?Stuck behind another QF pilot who still thinks he`s flying circuits at Bankstown.
get into them.
Keg,
administrators not liquidators.Your QF,p$ss off and let us fight for the scraps-for the time being.
By the way,was that you dragging your a$$ into Mel today?Stuck behind another QF pilot who still thinks he`s flying circuits at Bankstown.
Nunc est bibendum
Sorry BD69, alas it wasn't me!!
Sorry to disappoint!
BTW, you're a credito too, how happy are you that they are still trading in the red?
Does that mean that they may need MORE money of the Federal Government to cover entitlments?
I hope you guys secure a future but i don't see it happening. Thats an 'outsiders' point of view.
Sorry to disappoint!
BTW, you're a credito too, how happy are you that they are still trading in the red?
Does that mean that they may need MORE money of the Federal Government to cover entitlments?
I hope you guys secure a future but i don't see it happening. Thats an 'outsiders' point of view.
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f>ck em.
Don't worry guys small minds get small results.
They wont be around long enough to really worry you, so let em play their peurile kindergarten games until reality sets in.
The public will judge them for what they are if they continue to play kindy games.
Don't worry guys small minds get small results.
They wont be around long enough to really worry you, so let em play their peurile kindergarten games until reality sets in.
The public will judge them for what they are if they continue to play kindy games.
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Gaunty,
I don`t believe it-your Virgin Blue.
And all this time, those posts beaming two dimensional "my country right or wrong" nationalism were layers of self interest.Yours are so often repeated through history!
I don`t believe it-your Virgin Blue.
And all this time, those posts beaming two dimensional "my country right or wrong" nationalism were layers of self interest.Yours are so often repeated through history!
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(
Launceston paper:
New air blue
By JOHN CAPLES , Friday, 30 November 2001
Ansett administrators will ban discount airline Virgin Blue from sharing the Ansett terminal at Launceston airport.
The ban will apply immediately to Virgin Blue's new early-morning service out of Launceston, to begin tomorrow, and to the existing afternoon flight within seven days.
Federal Transport Minister John Anderson yesterday said the shock move had created a dire situation and that he would be calling on the Ansett administrators to immediately reverse their decision.
The ban will create major problems for Virgin Blue passengers - the airline will also be barred from using the electronic baggage scanner in the Ansett terminal, forcing security staff to search every piece of luggage by hand.
Virgin Blue executives last night said they would be on board the Boeing 737 flight into Launceston tonight to help unload baggage for passengers and be on hand for when the first early morning flight left tomorrow.
The airline has asked passengers boarding flights in Launceston to check in an hour before the flight time.
In an unprecedented move, the Federal Government and the airport owner, APAC, will work to set up a temporary marquee beside the existing terminal for Virgin Blue. The administrators' decision ends an agreement that allowed Virgin Blue to share the facility, provided Virgin Blue's Boeing 737 services did not clash with any of the four daily Ansett flights.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said the airline would not cancel any flights despite Ansett's endeavour to stifle competition.
He said that while the airline acknowledged that no formal agreement was in place, it had expected Ansett to continue to honour standard industry practice.
Mr Godfrey said the ban also applied to Canberra Airport, where Virgin Blue begins its first flights from Melbourne today.
"Since these facilities are virtually unutilised, this clearly reflects a policy that is solely focused on damaging people's travel plans at the last moment," he said.
"It shows that a company that has proclaimed to be `flying for Australia' is in fact only focused on being vindictive and clearly not acting very Australian."
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jocelyn Newman said the Ansett move was outrageous.
Launceston paper:
New air blue
By JOHN CAPLES , Friday, 30 November 2001
Ansett administrators will ban discount airline Virgin Blue from sharing the Ansett terminal at Launceston airport.
The ban will apply immediately to Virgin Blue's new early-morning service out of Launceston, to begin tomorrow, and to the existing afternoon flight within seven days.
Federal Transport Minister John Anderson yesterday said the shock move had created a dire situation and that he would be calling on the Ansett administrators to immediately reverse their decision.
The ban will create major problems for Virgin Blue passengers - the airline will also be barred from using the electronic baggage scanner in the Ansett terminal, forcing security staff to search every piece of luggage by hand.
Virgin Blue executives last night said they would be on board the Boeing 737 flight into Launceston tonight to help unload baggage for passengers and be on hand for when the first early morning flight left tomorrow.
The airline has asked passengers boarding flights in Launceston to check in an hour before the flight time.
In an unprecedented move, the Federal Government and the airport owner, APAC, will work to set up a temporary marquee beside the existing terminal for Virgin Blue. The administrators' decision ends an agreement that allowed Virgin Blue to share the facility, provided Virgin Blue's Boeing 737 services did not clash with any of the four daily Ansett flights.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said the airline would not cancel any flights despite Ansett's endeavour to stifle competition.
He said that while the airline acknowledged that no formal agreement was in place, it had expected Ansett to continue to honour standard industry practice.
Mr Godfrey said the ban also applied to Canberra Airport, where Virgin Blue begins its first flights from Melbourne today.
"Since these facilities are virtually unutilised, this clearly reflects a policy that is solely focused on damaging people's travel plans at the last moment," he said.
"It shows that a company that has proclaimed to be `flying for Australia' is in fact only focused on being vindictive and clearly not acting very Australian."
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jocelyn Newman said the Ansett move was outrageous.
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bulldog69,
You keep saying that on many threads...
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am very concerned for the well being of all the ex employees, and this continued operation of Ansett 2, instead of liquidating Ansett, is very quickly eroding the ex employees money.
IF the Fox/Lew bid goes ahead it will further erode their money. They have already lost most of their high yield business customers never to return, now this latest ridiculous thing with the terminals will make it worse, most Aussies will see this as wrong, and if anything further support the perceived under dog, rather than the perceived bully in Ansett 2.
However, I do not know why I bother, IF you are typical of ex Ansett employees, then I hope Ansett 2 continues and you get all you deserve.......
"lame"
You keep saying that on many threads...
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I am very concerned for the well being of all the ex employees, and this continued operation of Ansett 2, instead of liquidating Ansett, is very quickly eroding the ex employees money.
IF the Fox/Lew bid goes ahead it will further erode their money. They have already lost most of their high yield business customers never to return, now this latest ridiculous thing with the terminals will make it worse, most Aussies will see this as wrong, and if anything further support the perceived under dog, rather than the perceived bully in Ansett 2.
However, I do not know why I bother, IF you are typical of ex Ansett employees, then I hope Ansett 2 continues and you get all you deserve.......
"lame"