Emirates, Qantas, Virginblue, Jetstar all short of Pilots
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Emirates, Qantas, Virginblue, Jetstar all short of Pilots
The Qantas versus Dubai contest is the one to watch
From Crikey.com.au
Ben Sandilands writes:
Qantas spends most of $35 billion on future jets in two years and Emirates spends $39 billion in two days. Where will it all end?
The most popular theory in Australian aviation circles is that it will end with bush pilots again earning more than plumbers or dentists, or alternatively, with bush airlines slashing services because too many pilots take up offers from bigger airlines with flashier jets.
It is what Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey calls the lure of "metal envy." However it is not clear that this will be enough for Virgin Blue or Qantas/Jetstar to renew and expand pilot ranks as fast as new fleet is delivered.
The top dog in regional aviation, REX, is so far unflinching in holding down pilot wages, and vocal about the fact that it is running out of pilots. Carriers like REX (which makes outstandingly good margins) are critical parts of the pilot food chain that leads to jobs with bigger airlines.
It is a similar story almost everywhere except in the aviation Disneyland which is Dubai, and Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Airlines are determined to hold down labour costs, the flight standards skills they need are predominantly held by people who will mostly retire between now and 2020, and the costs of becoming an airline pilot are so high that anyone smart enough to become one would be smart enough to choose a different career.
Apart from the huge Emirates and Qantas orders, a two year old investment vehicle funded by the same sea of money as Emirates -- called the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise -- became a major jet lessor this week by buying 200 assorted jets, divided equally between Airbuses and Boeings, for other non UAE carriers presumably including the ones that might be bought by yet other investment vehicle based in the Gulf.
There is no sign Dubai money wants to buy into an Australian airline, and most likely won’t be until an hour or so before the surprise press conference is called, should the current infatuation of UAE funds managers with ports, alternative energy technology and the odd airport or tourism resort development suddenly name an opportunity.
Australia is currently being mined for its pilots and systems and maintenance engineers by the two UAE carriers, Emirates and Etihad. But around 20 of the 58 giant A380s Emirates has so far ordered seem tagged to fly routes between here and the global super hub it is setting up at an all new Dubai airport now under construction.
That’s as many A380s as Qantas has on order to serve the US and Europe markets. Never mind Singapore, the Qantas versus Dubai contest is the one to watch closely.
From Crikey.com.au
Ben Sandilands writes:
Qantas spends most of $35 billion on future jets in two years and Emirates spends $39 billion in two days. Where will it all end?
The most popular theory in Australian aviation circles is that it will end with bush pilots again earning more than plumbers or dentists, or alternatively, with bush airlines slashing services because too many pilots take up offers from bigger airlines with flashier jets.
It is what Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey calls the lure of "metal envy." However it is not clear that this will be enough for Virgin Blue or Qantas/Jetstar to renew and expand pilot ranks as fast as new fleet is delivered.
The top dog in regional aviation, REX, is so far unflinching in holding down pilot wages, and vocal about the fact that it is running out of pilots. Carriers like REX (which makes outstandingly good margins) are critical parts of the pilot food chain that leads to jobs with bigger airlines.
It is a similar story almost everywhere except in the aviation Disneyland which is Dubai, and Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Airlines are determined to hold down labour costs, the flight standards skills they need are predominantly held by people who will mostly retire between now and 2020, and the costs of becoming an airline pilot are so high that anyone smart enough to become one would be smart enough to choose a different career.
Apart from the huge Emirates and Qantas orders, a two year old investment vehicle funded by the same sea of money as Emirates -- called the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise -- became a major jet lessor this week by buying 200 assorted jets, divided equally between Airbuses and Boeings, for other non UAE carriers presumably including the ones that might be bought by yet other investment vehicle based in the Gulf.
There is no sign Dubai money wants to buy into an Australian airline, and most likely won’t be until an hour or so before the surprise press conference is called, should the current infatuation of UAE funds managers with ports, alternative energy technology and the odd airport or tourism resort development suddenly name an opportunity.
Australia is currently being mined for its pilots and systems and maintenance engineers by the two UAE carriers, Emirates and Etihad. But around 20 of the 58 giant A380s Emirates has so far ordered seem tagged to fly routes between here and the global super hub it is setting up at an all new Dubai airport now under construction.
That’s as many A380s as Qantas has on order to serve the US and Europe markets. Never mind Singapore, the Qantas versus Dubai contest is the one to watch closely.
The hot rumour is that now EK realise that they won't be able to attract enough people to life in the desert to fill the seats with the forward view for their massive airframe orders, they will be basing overseas. Guys who are fed up with the desert and want to go home have been told to hang on until April 1st when there will be an announcement to their liking.
EK A380 SYD base anyone?
EK A380 SYD base anyone?
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REX, is so far unflinching in holding down pilot wages, and vocal about the fact that it is running out of pilots
For christs sake, put a fare on a 1hr sector ( REX ) up by $6 per pax, or is cancelling flights a better solution you ROCKET SCIENTISTS.
Symplistic view maybe but its not Nuclear Physics.
Either stop bitchin about pilots leaving or frigging pay them
Dan, only problem I can forsee with this is all the current EK guys might be happy but how do you coerse more drivers over to the sandpit
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only problem I can forsee with this is all the current EK guys might be happy but how do you coerse more drivers over to the sandpit
To quote Jerry Maguire "Show me the money!!!"
Hi Dan,
sorry but have to pour cold water on the Emirates basing rumour.
They have been very consistent for a very long time that there will never be basings - and I believe them.
There may be some sort of virtual basing or remote rostering system so that you can operate into your home port and have a few days off then operate out again but that is as close as it will come.
sorry but have to pour cold water on the Emirates basing rumour.
They have been very consistent for a very long time that there will never be basings - and I believe them.
There may be some sort of virtual basing or remote rostering system so that you can operate into your home port and have a few days off then operate out again but that is as close as it will come.
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Have to agree with the previoues post. I will add that EK will have to follow labour laws of the country it's in.We all know that's not going to happen it will have to snow in the sandpit first. Your just considered slave labour there. Do the contract guys flying the freighters have to deal with this?
Doubt it!
Doubt it!
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EK management have been conducting a study since May of this year to ascertain the viability of bases. The cost savings, rostering efficiencies and the desperate need to attract crew for the enormous number of aircraft deliveries has convinced the management that bases are an inevitability. Look for an announcement in April/May of next year. The other factor is the extreme growth in the need for pilots (and much improved contracts) from the other competing expat airlines around the world. Believe it, bases for EK soon.
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Snow on Hills
Every now and then it snows a little up in the hills. I seem to recall that a couple of years ago the sheiks got in their helicopters to go look at it.
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Management have categorically stated no bases. Haven't seen the names of the guys saying otherwise on the middle east forums so not sure how they'd know different. Might be the same rumour as our $1 mill after ten years which has equal credibility.
