Transport minister says strip search was 'context' in her rejection of Qatar Airways application
ABCThe 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 decision on Qatar's application She said the Qatar flights were not the only way to increase competition in aviation The airline had applied to increase the number of direct flights it operates into major Australian airports, but the minister refused the application in July. The minister said it was wrong to suggest that Qatar Airways alone operating more flights would have made a substantial difference to competition in Australia's international aviation market. "She said … that issue of the women provided context, but she wouldn't point to any other factor that was there," Senator Hume said.
History of this topic
Turkish Airlines approved for massive expansion of flights to and from Australia, following Qatar rejection
ABCQatar Airways executive says invasive gynecological examinations of passengers won’t be repeated
Associated PressQatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker calls Australian government decision to block flights 'very unfair'
ABCTransport Minister Catherine King struggles to find a landing strip amid Qatar turbulence
ABCTransport minister rejected Qatar Airways bid on same day she signed letter to Australian women strip-searched at Qatari airport
ABCAllowing Qatar Airways to add flights to compete with Qantas would have reduced airfares, says competition watchdog
ABCStephen Jones walks back comments that government blocked Qatar Airways to protect Qantas' profits
ABCFormer ACCC bosses criticise federal government for blocking Qatar Airways flight requests to protect Qantas
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