Virgin flies into the Qantas storm
How does it feel to see the government do anything to protect your biggest rival and its record profits? Ask Virgin Australia.
How does it feel to see the federal government do anything to protect your biggest rival and its record profits? Ask Virgin Australia.
The number two carrier and IPO hopeful today waded into the ongoing controversy over Qantas CEO Alan Joyce's recent claim, made on the day the airline posted a record $2.5 billion profit, that allowing Qatar Airways to add more flights to Australia would "distort" the market.
Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka described the claim in an interview with the ABC as "nonsense" — and analysts agree. She said allowing Qatar to add more flights to Australia could lead to substantial declines in ticket prices for travellers.
"Additional Qatar flights would have an immediate and tangible effect in reducing airfares between Australia and Europe, the Middle East and Africa," Hrdlicka said in a statement provided to Capital Brief.
