Former ACCC bosses criticise federal government for blocking Qatar Airways flight requests to protect Qantas
1 year, 6 months ago

Former ACCC bosses criticise federal government for blocking Qatar Airways flight requests to protect Qantas

ABC  

The federal government's rejection of extra Qatar Airways flights to protect Qantas was "a really bad decision" with a "weak" explanation that disadvantages customers, two former bosses of Australian's competition watchdog say. Key points: The federal government blocked Qatar's application for an additional 21 flights to "protect the national interest" Former ACCC bosses Allan Fels and Rod Sims say the decision is uncompetitive and will keep airfares higher The CEOs of Flight Centre and ANZ say the government's intervention is puzzling and defies logic In July, it was revealed the federal government rejected a bid by Qatar Airways to add 21 extra flights per week to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, in addition to the 28 weekly flights it currently offers. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce defended the government's decision before a Senate committee on Monday afternoon, arguing that allowing extra flights by Qatar would distort the market. 'Customers have been put second' On Thursday, Mr Fels said there was "no secret reason" behind the government's decision to block Qatar Airways.

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Federal Court throws out case against Qatar Airways over invasive strip searches
11 months, 1 week ago

Federal Court throws out case against Qatar Airways over invasive strip searches

ABC  

In short: The Federal Court has thrown out a case against Qatar Airways and the country's aviation authority brought by five Australian women over strip searches in 2020. The Federal Court has thrown out a case against Qatar Airways and the country's aviation authority brought by five Australian women over strip searches in 2020. The Federal Court has thrown out …

Australia antitrust watchdog to monitor domestic air travel sector
1 year, 5 months ago

Australia antitrust watchdog to monitor domestic air travel sector

Hindustan Times  

Australia will ask its competition watchdog to monitor domestic passenger flights in a bid to boost competition in a sector dominated by national carrier Qantas, which is under scrutiny for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. Australia antitrust watchdog to monitor domestic air travel sector The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will monitor prices, costs and profits in the domestic air passenger sector, …

Qatar Airways executive says invasive gynecological examinations of passengers won’t be repeated
1 year, 5 months ago

Qatar Airways executive says invasive gynecological examinations of passengers won’t be repeated

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — A senior Qatar Airways executive told an Australian Senate inquiry on Wednesday there would be no repeat of an incident at Doha’s international airport in 2020 in which female passengers were subjected to invasive gynecological examinations. Australian Transport Minister Catherine King said three weeks ago that the examinations of 13 Australian women who had boarded a Qatar …

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker calls Australian government decision to block flights 'very unfair'
1 year, 6 months ago

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker calls Australian government decision to block flights 'very unfair'

ABC  

Qatar Airways has branded the Albanese government's decision to block additional flights to Australia "very unfair" after the airline helped get Australians home during the pandemic. Key points: The federal government denied Qatar Airways' request for additional flights to Australia The transport minister has offered a range of rationales behind the decision Qatar Airways' CEO says he is "very surprised", …

The underlying problem with the Qatar decision? Qantas — its reputation now trashed — was once owned by the government
1 year, 6 months ago

The underlying problem with the Qatar decision? Qantas — its reputation now trashed — was once owned by the government

ABC  

It is often the case in politics that, as observers heckle from the sidelines in the best Waldorf and Statler tradition, they will be heard to cry: "What on earth was the government thinking?" But after a week of a lot of noise in federal parliament, most people have no clearer idea of what the government, or at least Transport …

Transport minister says strip search was 'context' in her rejection of Qatar Airways application
1 year, 6 months ago

Transport minister says strip search was 'context' in her rejection of Qatar Airways application

ABC  

The federal Transport Minister Catherine King has pointed to the strip search of five Australian women in Doha as "context" behind her decision to reject a bid by Qatar Airways to increase flights into Australia. Key points: Qatar Airways wanted to increase the number of flights it operates to major Australian airports The minister says no single factor influenced her …

Allowing Qatar Airways to add flights to compete with Qantas would have reduced airfares, says competition watchdog
1 year, 6 months ago

Allowing Qatar Airways to add flights to compete with Qantas would have reduced airfares, says competition watchdog

ABC  

Allowing Qatar Airways to add more weekly flights at Australian airports would have made fares cheaper, the competition watchdog says, as pressure mounts on the government to reconsider its decision to block the airline. Key points: The competition watchdog will pursue more than $250 million in penalties over Qantas selling 'ghost flight' tickets The ACCC has also backed claims allowing …

Stephen Jones walks back comments that government blocked Qatar Airways to protect Qantas' profits
1 year, 6 months ago

Stephen Jones walks back comments that government blocked Qatar Airways to protect Qantas' profits

ABC  

The assistant treasurer has walked back comments that the federal government was protecting Qantas' record profit margins when it moved to block Qatar Airways from expanding its services in Australia. Key points: Stephen Jones says it is not controversial to say Qantas must remain profitable The government is defending a move to block Qatar Airways adding more flights at Australian …

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka slams Albanese government's decision to block Qatar Airways' bid for flights after Qantas lobbying
1 year, 6 months ago

Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka slams Albanese government's decision to block Qatar Airways' bid for flights after Qantas lobbying

Daily Mail  

The CEO of Virgin Australia has lashed out at Qantas after it lobbied against Qatar Airways bringing more flights to Australia. Virgin Australia's boss Jayne Hrdlicka said allowing more Qatar flights in and out of the country could bring down airfares by 40 per cent, as well as providing a huge boost to the tourism industry. Virgin boss Jayne Hrdlicka …

Qantas complaints soar, as the ACCC calls on airlines to cut domestic airfares
2 years ago

Qantas complaints soar, as the ACCC calls on airlines to cut domestic airfares

ABC  

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned airlines to cut domestic airfares, as consumers continue to pay well above 2019 prices. Key points: Domestic airfares have fallen from historic highs in December, but are still more than in 2019 The price of jet fuel was 35 per cent lower in February than in June 2022 Qantas is the most …

Offboarded at gunpoint, subjected to invasive strip search: Why five Australian women are suing Qatar Airways
2 years, 3 months ago

Offboarded at gunpoint, subjected to invasive strip search: Why five Australian women are suing Qatar Airways

Firstpost  

‘A nurse forcefully removed my underpants in the presence of my 5-month-old baby,’ Anna told Firstpost as she recalled the Doha airport invasive search horror. Forced gynecological examinations of Qatar Airways female passengers For Anna*, the legal action is about “fighting for basic human rights.” “We also want an apology and an assurance that this incident is never repeated be …

Qantas offers customers refunds for flight cancellations as Government instructs ACCC to keep watch over airlines
4 years, 9 months ago

Qantas offers customers refunds for flight cancellations as Government instructs ACCC to keep watch over airlines

ABC  

Qantas is offering customers a refund for flights cancelled or suspended due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, as the Government orders Australia's competition watchdog to monitor anti-competitive behaviour of airlines. Key points: Qantas is refunding customers for flight cancellations after the ACCC COVID-19 Taskforce raised concerns with the way the airline had handled claims The move comes as the Morrison Government …

Qantas comments 'unhelpful', ACCC boss says while investigating spat with Virgin during coronavirus crisis
4 years, 11 months ago

Qantas comments 'unhelpful', ACCC boss says while investigating spat with Virgin during coronavirus crisis

ABC  

The nation's competition watchdog has labelled comments by the Qantas chief executive about competition in the airline industry as "unhelpful" as it investigates a complaint from Virgin Australia. Key points: Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said it was a case of survival of the fittest in the airline industry during the coronavirus crisis He warned against Federal Government assistance just …

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