Outgoing Qantas CEO Alan Joyce isn’t leaving any stone unturned before he departs the top office, issuing a stern response to claims the federal government is aiding the airline by blocking competitors’ requests for new routes in Australia.
Qatar Airways recently applied to add 21 flights per week into Australia from the middle east, though the request was denied by the government.
The Federal Government sought out the opinion of Qantas as part of Qatar Airways’ application process for bilateral air rights. Qantas opposed the bid on the grounds that it would cause Australian job losses, according to The Australian.
Qatar Airways’ application rejection comes amid high international airfares, which some attribute to a lack of competition.
Joyce said that although he was “good mates with Albo” he (and the airline) do not receive any “political favours” in return.
“If the government was doing the bidding of Qantas then it would’ve knocked on the head multi-employer bargaining which is a much bigger issue (than traffic rights),” Joyce, said.
“The PM had a go at me when we grounded the airline in 2011. To think that Qantas has this out-weighted influence on them is nonsense.”
Transport Minister, Catherine King is yet to explain why the decision was made to not allow Qatar’s new routes, which has left many tourism leaders and industry professionals questioning the decision.
