The trans Tasman route continues to be “one of the most challenging aviation markets in the world,” Qantas has said.
Rohan Garnett, regional general manager New Zealand and Pacific Islands, declined to reveal whether the operation was profitable but admitted it remains a tough market.
In such a competitive environment, product innovation and differentiation is key, he said in response to a Travel Today question at TRENZ.
“We’ve got clear strategy and vision how to do that, and that takes on a product dimension and having a standardised start of the art fleet that delivers that, certainly in a two class environment,” he said.
Partnerships were also key, he added, referring to its $4 million deal with Tourism New Zealand announced yesterday.
Garnett said Qantas “was not in the business of articulating what is profitable on a route by route basis”, and stressed it must been seen in the context of “the entire Qantas network”.
He said Qantas would remain focused on its four NZ gateways of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown and played down any prospect of launching into new ports.
Tourism NZ chief executive Kevin Bowler said the competitive nature of the trans Tasman market was fuelling growth between the two countries.
“For travellers it’s a pretty good thing but I fully appreciate and understand the challenges of the aviation sector,” he said.
Trans Tasman is tough: Qantas
