Goyder backs Joyce, denies talking to govt about Qatar decision
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More news: Qantas chair Richard Goyder has denied speaking to any government ministers about the impact of extra Qatar Airlines services on Qantas' market share, and has supported former CEO Alan Joyce, at an inquiry into air service agreements. Inquiry chair Bridget McKenzie has grilled Goyder and Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson over the airline's failure to provide a submission to the inquiry and its public support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
"I've had no discussions with the prime minister or indeed any member of government on the Qatar decision," Goyder told the inquiry.
"I think Alan Joyce did a excellent job as Qantas CEO over 15 years in what is a demanding industry."
Australian aviation regulation is 'very poor public policy': Sims
More news: Australia's aviation industry regulation represents poor public policy, favours incumbents and disadvantages Australian travellers, former ACCC chair Rod Sims has told the inquiry into air service agreements.
What they said: "I've been following aviation for probably 40 years... And I think it does represent very poor public policy, the way we regulate aviation in Australia," Sims said.
"It definitely favours the incumbent businesses, and disadvantages the traveling public and disadvantages the Australian economy."
Qatar Airways says it was 'surprised and shocked' by rejection of flights
The news: Qatar Airways executives have told a parliamentary hearing they were “surprised and shocked” by the government’s decision to reject their bid for additional flights to Australia.
The numbers: Qatar Airways had applied to receive approval for an additional 28 flights a week into Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. The airline says the additional flights would add an estimated $3 billion of economic benefits to Australia.
The context: Qatar Airways senior vice-president Matt Raos said the airline found out its bid was rejected via the media on 10 July and then received written confirmation 10 days later. His comments were made before a Senate inquiry into bilateral air rights that is probing what role Australian carrier Qantas played in the transport minister’s decision to knock back the application. On Wednesday, Capital Brief reported that Infrastructure Minister Catherine King did not seek advice from DFAT before deciding to block Qatar from launching the extra flights, according to the department's records.
What they said: "We were surprised and shocked by the decision ... to reject our application for additional flights to Australia. Even more surprising was the government gave us no reason for rejecting our application, we really can't understand why,” Raos told the hearing.
The source: AAP
