Qantas and Qatar at war - Oneworld could be the loser

QATAR A380-861 A7-APD (CN 160)               File Photo

Qatar Airways is tipped to walk out of the global Oneworld airline alliance, driven by a dispute with Qantas over the Middle Eastern carrier's aggressive push into Australia. The conflict came to a head last week when Qatar's chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker publicly accused Qantas of failing to act "in the spirit" of the alliance by lobbying against it being granted more flight rights into Australia.

                                                                      File Photo

 

“I don’t see any point in us continuing to stay a part of Oneworld when other partners see us as a threat", Al Baker said at an event in Spain last week, as reported by Bloomberg.

Oneworld member airlines give each other's passengers perks like loyalty points, access to airport lounges, and share some booking capability.

Al Baker is renowned for making outlandish and controversial statements, and has previously threatened to quit Oneworld over a similar dispute with American Airlines.
But senior industry figures have told Fairfax Media the latest dispute may be the final straw, and say Qatar could finally leave Oneworld after a meeting of its 13 airline members in New York in early December.
Qatar currently flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth to its hub Doha, where it connects to dozens of destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

QATAR B777-3DZ A7-BAF (CN 37661)            File Photo

The carrier has been trying to launch flights to Brisbane but Qantas - which also has a formal alliance with Qatar's Middle East rival Emirates - has been successfully lobbying against Qatar's expansion, arguing the state-owned airline is dumping capacity and being "uncommercial and uncompetitive" by selling tickets below cost-price.

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZND (CN 63390)            File Photo

Qantas points to research by a US airline lobby group that claims Qatar Airways has received over $US17 billion in state aid and interest free loans from Qatar’s sovereign wealth, as well as other support.

"This distorts markets and threatens the sustainable operation of international carriers to Australia," Qantas said in a letter circulated to key industry and political figures earlier this month and seen by Fairfax Media.

"We welcome healthy competition – however it must be fair."

Qatar's services to Doha from Canberra, which stop and collect more passengers in Sydney, have also incensed Qantas, which accuses it of using government policy designed to boost flights to regional airports as a "Trojan horse" to increase its access to Sydney.

Government data shows that in July, the Canberra-Sydney leg of the service flew with only 14 per cent of the seats filled.
A Qantas spokesman declined to comment further on the matter, but its chief executive Alan Joyce told the South China Morning Post last week that "nobody should be in an alliance where they believe its not working for them".
"If Qatar feel they [would] do better outside of Oneworld, that is up to them," Mr Joyce told the Hong Kong newspaper, adding that Qantas' partnership with Emirates would mean his passengers would not be affected by Qatar's exit.
Industry figures say former federal transport minister Darren Chester indicated to the Qatari government last year that Australia was open to granting Qatar Airways flights to Brisbane, but that was put on hold under his short-lived replacement Barnaby Joyce.
The Current transport minister, deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, is now pushing back by proposing a "fair competition clause" be inserted in the agreement governing air services between the two countries.
While tightly under wraps, sources says the clause would force Qatar Airways to hand over commercial data about its ticket prices.
"These matters are under consideration and there are ongoing discussions between the Department and Qatari officials, as has been the case for some time," a spokesman for Mr McCormack said.
"The deputy PM does not comment on decisions made by former ministers in the portfolio."
A spokesman for Oneworld said that "as in any family, there are times when our member airlines have differences on specific issues", and the alliance hoped they could be resolved quickly.
Oneworld is one of the big three airline alliances, along with Star Alliance, which includes Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, and Skyteam, which includes Delta and Air France.
Qatar's exit would remove about 30 destinations, and five countries, from Oneworld's network, leaving it with about 1000 destinations and 150 countries.
It would take Qatar one year to leave the alliance, and it would have to pay several million dollars in exit fees. Qatar declined to comment.

Full story sourced from here. Images are mine.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-qantas-and-qatar-spat-that-could-rupture-the-oneworld-alliance-20181115-p50g5p.html

Happy 11th Bithday Tigerair

IATA ICAO Call sign TT TGG TIGGOZ

Company Slogan "Go For It"

Tiger Airways (Australia Pty Limited) commenced operating domestic flights in Australia on the 23rd November 2007 from its home base in Melbourne. On this day back in 2007 Tiger Airways Australia's first scheduled flight was TT 7402, which departed from Melbourne for the Gold Coast.
The airline opened a second base in Sydney in July 2012 and a third base was opened in Brisbane in March 2014. Just days before the launch of Tiger Airways Australia, Jetstar (a low cost subsidiary of QANTAS) offered 5,000 seats on 21 November 2007 for the price of five cents, inclusive of taxes, on seven domestic routes, costing the airline $25.00 per seat.
In October 2012, Virgin Australia Holdings purchased 60% of Tiger Airways Australia from parent company Tiger Airways Holdings.
In July 2013 the airline re-branded from Tiger Airways

TIGER AIRWAYS A320-232 VH-VNG (CN 3674)

to Tigerair

TIGERAIR A320-232 VH-XUH (CN 6749)

and the joint venture between Tiger Airways Holdings and the Virgin Australia Group was launched.
On the 17th October 2014 Virgin Australia purchase the remaining 40% so Tigerair Australia is now a fully owned subsidiary of Virgin Australia Holdings.
Tigerair Australia operates 12 A320-232 and 4 B737-8FE to 12 destinations around Australia .
In July last year Virgin Australia and Tigerair confirmed that the entire A320 fleet will be replaced with Boeing 737-800s by the end of 2019.

TIGERAIR B737-8FE VH-VUD (CN 34015)

Happy Birthday QATAR

IATA ICAO Callsign QR QTR QATARI

QATAR B777-3DZ A7-BAE (CN 36104)

FC BARCELONA LIVERY

Company Slogan "Going Places Together"

Qatar Airways is the national airline of the State of Qatar. Although the airline was founded on the 22nd November 1993 operations didn't began until the 20th January 1994.
Amman was the first city served in May 1994 (1994-05). In April 1995 (1995-04), the airline's CEO Sheikh Hamad Bin Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani employed a staff of 75. By this time the fleet consisted of two Airbus A310s that served a route network including Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, London and Tokyo. During 1995, two ex-All Nippon Airways Boeing 747s were bought from Boeing. The airline then acquired a second-hand Boeing 747SP from Air Mauritius in 1996.
The airline currently has 222 aircraft and has 196 on order.
Qatar Airways has one of the world's youngest airlines fleets, with an average aircraft age of approximately five years. Narrow-body and wide-body Airbus and Boeing variants operate a mix of short, medium, and long-haul international routes.


As of July 2018^[update], the Qatar Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passengers				Notes
			F	J	Y	Total
Airbus A319-100LR	2	—	—	8	102	110
			—	40	—	40
Airbus A320-200	38	—	—	12	132	144
			—	12	120	132
Airbus A321-200	6	—	—	12	170	182
			—	12	165	177
			—	—	196	196
Airbus A321neo	—	50	TBA				Deliveries from 2019.
Airbus A330-200	10	—	—	24	236	260
			—	24	248	272
Airbus A330-300	13	—	—	30	275	305
Airbus A340-600	4	—	—	24	348	372
Airbus A350-900	27	4	—	36	247	283	Launch customer for the type.
Airbus A350-1000	2	38	—	46	281	327	Launch customer for the type.
Airbus A380-800	10	—	8	48	461	517
Boeing 777-200LR	9	—	—	42	217	259
Boeing 777-300ER	48	—	—	46	316	358
			—	24	388	412
			—	42	312	354
Boeing 777-8	—	10	TBA
Boeing 777-9	—	50	TBA				Order with 50 purchase rights
Boeing 787-8	30	—	—	22	232	254
Boeing 787-9	—	30	TBA
Qatar Airways Cargo fleet
Airbus A330-200F	8	8	Cargo
Boeing 747-8F	2	—	Cargo
Boeing 777F	13	6	Cargo
Total	222	196

QATAR A380-861 A7-APD (CN 160)

In the past year alone, Qatar Airways has:
▪ added 11 new destinations (including Canberra, Cardiff and a return to London Gatwick)
▪ placed an order with Boeing for 200 aircraft, worth $US20.2 billion.
▪ confirmed its deal with Airbus for 37 A350-1000s – the largest commitment by any airline for the new plane.                          
In May 2014^[update] the airline became fully owned by the Qatari government. Qatar Airways has been fully controlled by the government (2013-07) following the buyout of a 50% stake from a former foreign minister and other shareholders.^[update] Qatar Airways Group employs more than 40,000 employee's; 24,000 of them work directly for the airline.
Qatar is also apart of the One World Alliance

QATAR B777-3DZ A7-BAF (CN 37661)

In 2014 the airline became the global launch customer of the first Airbus A350. In June 2015, Qatar Airways achieved a major accomplishment receiving the Skytrax Airline of the Year 2015 accolade for a third time. Last year Qatar Airways won World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff service in the Middle East at the Skytrax Awards. They announced a commitment for 100 Boeing aircraft: 10 777s, 30 787-9s and 60 737 MAX aircraft.   One of the biggest orders in the airline’s history, worth more than US$90 billion, the announcement brought the total number of aircraft the airline has on order to more than 350.
Qatar Airways has since become one of the fastest growing carriers in the history of aviation with unprecedented expansion averaging double digit growth year on year.

                               QATAR B777-3DZ A7-BEJ (CN 60336)

Since their launch, Qatar Airways has earned many awards and accolades, becoming one of an elite group of airlines worldwide to have earned a 5-star rating by Skytrax. Voted Airline of the Year by Skytrax in 2011, 2012, 2015 and most recently in 2017.

At the 2018 Skytrax awards held in June QATAR was voted No:2 best airline in the world.


The World’s Top 5 Airlines of 2018 are:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Qatar Airways
3. ANA All Nippon Airways
4. Emirates
5. EVA Air

Fire in plane at Auckland Airport extinguished

ALLIANCE FOKKER F27 Mk50 VH-FKV (CN 20303)    File Photo

A fire on board an aircraft while sitting on the tarmac at Auckland Airport this morning has been extinguished. Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Paul Radden said crews were called to the scene at 7.15am of Alliance Airlines Fokker 50. He said an auxiliary power unity (APU) on board the plane had caught fire but the blaze had been put out by on board extinguishers. Engineers and firefighters were opening the engine cowling, standing by and monitoring the engine, he said. Scorch marks caused by the fire could be seen on the outside of the Fokker 50 aircraft.

No delays at the airport had been caused by the incident, the airport spokeswoman said. Alliance Airlines' website said it provided charters for travellers in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and South East Asia.

Its fleet consisted of three different Fokker airplanes, the website said.

This included Fokker 50 turboprop, Fokker 70 LR jet and Fokker 100 jet. 

Alliance flight 541; with the callsign "Unity" was due to depart Auckland (AKL / NZAA) at 7.15am local time bound for Wellington (WLG / NZWN) landing there at 8.40am. After thorough inspections the aircraft was cleared to depart and got away at 9.35am landing in Wellington just over an hour later at 10.42am.

Aircraft Information

Airline: Alliance

Code: QQ / UTY

Aircraft: Fokker F27 Mk50

Registration: VH-FKO

Serial Number: 20161

First Flew: 14/6/1989

Age: 29 yrs 5 Mths

Engines: 2 PWC PW125B

Joined Alliance: 16/8/2012

Story sourced from here with additions
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel-troubles/108716859/fire-in-plane-at-auckland-airport-extinguished?fbclid=IwAR0-NTnIRCIJKSzDTgAcM6NQlsbmmcsE6ne1uUTVGEjHiF1Hc-5gaidtgek

The final flight of the last Boeing 747-100

The last Boeing 747-100  (N747GE CN 19651) belonging to General Electric has departed Victorville (VCV/ KVCV) for Tucson (DMA/KDMA) to be showcased at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, one of the world’s largest non-government funded aerospace museums.
This was the 25th 747-100 built and it began its life with Pan American World Airways in March 1970 as N744PA, and finally served with GE Aviation since the 9th March 1992. The 747-100 was a long range, wide-body airliner powered by Pratt & Whitney Engine JT9D – 7A engines, and entered service in January 22, 1970. The last B747-100 was delivered in 1986. The first 747-100s were built with six upper deck windows (three per side) to accommodate upstairs lounge areas.
Many 747-100s were converted into freighters later on. A total of 168 747-100s were built; 167 were delivered to customers. Boeing kept the prototype N7470 (CN 20235) and aptly named it "City of Everett"  The first 747-100 emerged on the 30th September 1968. The 747 has evolved over the decades to comprise variants such as the 747-200, the 747-300, 747SP, the 747 Combi, the 747-400, and the 747‑400ER (Extended Range). Qantas was among the 26 airlines that ordered the 747 aircraft, with its logo featured on the side of the fuselage of that original 747. The airline started 747 service in September 1971 and has operated 65 of the type in total. However, Qantas announced in May this year it planned to withdraw all its 747s from the fleet by the time it celebrates its centenary at the end of 2020 replacing them all with the latest Boeing 787-9's.
Currently, Boeing offers the 747-8I (passenger) and 747-8F (freighter). However, there are only 22 outstanding orders for the 747 and all 22 are for the freighter version of the aircraft.

As of the 31st August 2018, the total number of 747s delivered stood at 1,546, according to the Boeing website.

Some of the information sourced from here 
http://newsinflight.com/2018/11/16/the-final-flight-of-worlds-last-boeing-747-100/?

Happy 98th Birthday QANTAS

IATA ICAO Callsign QF QFA QANTAS

THE SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA (Company Slogan)

QANTAS A380-861 VH-OQL (CN 0074)

Qantas Airways Limited, the third oldest airline in the world after KLM (7th Oct 1919) and Avianca (5th Dec 1919) celebrate their 98th birthday today having been founded on the 16th November 1920. Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia and its largest airline in Australia by fleet size, international flights and international destinations. It began international passenger flights in May 1935. The Qantas name stands for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services", and is nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo".

The airline is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot with its main hub at Sydney Airport. Various subsidiary airlines operate to regional centres and on some trunk routes within Australia under the QantasLink banner.  Qantas also owns "Jetstar Airways", a low-cost airline that operates both international services and domestic services  and operates in Australia and New Zealand.

Fergus McMaster was a wealthy grazier who took little convincing about the benefits of aviation. He was crossing the sandy bed of Queensland's Cloncurry River when his car broke an axle. Paul McGinness helped repair the vehicle and the two struck up a friendship. Back in Brisbane, McGinness and Fysh outlined to McMaster their plans for an air service, beginning with joy rides and air taxi trips. McMaster, fired with enthusiasm, convinced business acquaintances to invest with them. With their former flight sergeant Arthur Baird as aircraft mechanic, Fysh and McGinness travelled to Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney, where they ordered two Avro aircraft. The purchase agreement, dated 19 August 1920, was in the name of The Western Queensland Auto Aero Service Limited. A new company name was later adopted, Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, which was quickly abbreviated to the acronym 'QANTAS'.

Papers formally establishing Qantas were signed in the Gresham Hotel, Brisbane, on 16 November 1920. The company, based in Winton, was registered with Fergus McMaster as Chairman.

In 1921 the Qantas fleet consisted of two biplanes - an Avro 504K with a 100 horsepower (74 kw) water-cooled Sunbeam Dyak engine and a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2E with a 90 horsepower (67 kw) air-cooled engine. The BE2E was purchased for £450 ($900) from Charles Knight, a Longreach stock and station agent who, having experienced a turbulent delivery trip, swore nothing would induce him to fly again. Today QANTAS fleet consists of 118 aircraft.

As of September 2018, the Qantas mainline fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Passengers
			F	J	W	Y	Total
Airbus A330-200	18	—	—	27	—	224	251
			—	28	—	243	271
Airbus A330-300	10	—	—	28	—	269	297
Airbus A380-800	12	__	14	64	35	371	484
Boeing 737-800	72	—	—	12	—	162	174
Boeing 747-400	3	—	14	52	32	255	353
			—	58	36	270	364
Boeing 747-400ER	6	—	—	58	36	270	364
Boeing 787-9	6	8	—	42	28	166	236
Total	127	8

Qantas had 8 Boeing 787-9's on order and their first one was delivered to Sydney on the 20th October 2017, to date 7 have been delivered, the 7th (VH-ZNG CN 36240) arrived in Melbourne two days ago directly from Paine Field Everett. I have see VH-ZNH doing test flights so I expect this will delivered in the next week or so. Qantas has an option of 8 more 787's and these will replace the aging fleet of 747's which will be completely retired by the end of 2020.

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZND (CN 63390)

Qantas changed it's colour scheme in October 2016 and the new scheme will eventually be transferred to every aircraft in their fleet.

QANTAS B737-838 VH-VYD (CN 33992)

QANTAS A330-303 VH-QPJ (CN 712)          

Qantas is also a member of the "One World" Alliance

BOEING 747-438 VH-OJU (CN 25566)

AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBV (CN 1365)

Welcome to Brisbane Samoa Airways

Tonight Brisbane welcomes another new airline in the way of Samoa Airways.
Unfortunately due to the late night time arrival and departure Brisbane wont get to see this aircraft in daylight hours. (But I have seen it twice now in Auckland).
Samoa Airways, formerly known as Polynesian Airlines, is the state-owned flag carrier airline of Samoa. The airline was founded in 1959 as "Polynesian Airlines", providing domestic and international flights throughout the South Pacific. International operations were temporarily halted in 2005 and taken over by a new airline Polynesian Blue (later Virgin Samoa), before resuming international flights under the new name of "Samoa Airways" in late 2017. Samoa Airways is wholly owned by the government of Samoa and is based in the capital city of Apia, with its headquarters located in the Samoa National Provident Fund Building on Beach Road and its primary hub at Faleolo International Airport. The airline presently operates short-haul flights within Samoa and American Samoa, as well as long-haul flights to Australia and New Zealand. The airline has a fleet of four aircraft - one Boeing 737-800 and three De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter's.  
OL843 departs Apia at 6:55pm and arrives in Brisbane at 8:50pm the same evening. OL844 is set to depart at 10:50pm, touching down in Apia at 6:45am the next day.

SAMOA AIRWAYS B737-86N I-NEOS (CN 32733)