Any chance of SQ Aust-US routes

[slacker]

With a new government in Australia being voted in, are SQ's chances of getting the above rights better?

[SINFJ]

Isn't Qantas the biggest party pooper??

[WSSS]

I think it's too early to tell.

[simong]

I would say even slimmer than they were before...

I am sure comrade Keith can speak to the QLD Kremlin and give us a better idea?

[KeithMEL]

Labor does not have an official caucus policy regarding the transpacific route. It'd be pretty much a cabinet decision. I'd think any Labor cabinet would closely analyse any net gain or detriment to Australian interests (which extends greater than the interests of Qantas Airways Ltd) before making a decision. Our former leader Kim Beazley did make a comment in passing that he supports greater competition on that route, in principle.

[singaporu_kooku]

I would say even slimmer than they were before...

My sentiments exactly..
However, Kevin Rudd seems to bring an interesting fresh perspective into Australian politics and labor party, so we just have to wait and see what the new government will decide.

[zvezda]

I just depends on whether the new Labour government plays to the interests of Australian citizens or to the interests of Qantas. They say they are not beholden to corporate interests, but that remains to be seen.

[KeithMEL]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-23349,00.html

SINGAPORE Airlines has dusted off its campaign to gain access to routes from Australia across the Pacific and says it will be making the new federal Labor Government aware of its continued interest in opening up competition on flights between Australia and the US.
...

"There should be equality of opportunities.
...

"But that said, we understand the new Government has priorities that require its attention following its election, and we have indicated to them that we are patient and not pressing for this issue to be addressed immediately."

What tickled me was the quote in bold - I wonder if any of SQ's media people worked on Labor's federal election campaign in 2004? Because it's straight off the rhetoric then, word for word.

[huaiwei]

What pisses me are comments like these:

"Give Up!!!!! They're not going to get it QF has flights out of SIN to go to LHR as they NEED a stop SQ doesnt need a stop to LAX/SFO etc" http://www.airliners.net/discussions....main/3714629/

Qantas doesn't "need" a stop in Singapore. They could very well stopover in many other cities, but chose to transit most of their flights out of Singapore because the Singapore government practises a liberal air policy. Liberal rights out of Singapore, relatively low usage costs at Changi, a relatively direct route unlike say out of Dubai...Qantas is getting an excellent deal flying out of Singapore thanks to the magnanimously Singapore government, and certainly not simply because it needs it. If they had to base in Hong Kong, for example, Qantas cannot expect to grow to what they are today in the same timeframe.

[RJA]

When SQ got an outright "no" to SYD-USA didn't they at the same time get some kind of a "maybe" to MEL and BNE to USA? Not 100% sure but I think I read it somewhere (maybe yssy forum).

If that is true couldn't SQ make good money on MEL-LAX-MEL? There's only 1 daily non-stop service followed by 2 direct 1-stop services (UA via SYD + QF via AKL) as well as NZ services via AKL that connect smoothly to/from LAX, SFO, YVR.

With Tiger Airways setting up in MEL which I suspect could provide some good domestic feed surely they could fill at least a daily 77W on such a route? 77W should also have sufficient payload/range for it.

[zvezda]

couldn't SQ make good money on MEL-LAX-MEL?

Using what aircraft? Other than the A340-500, what aircraft do SQ have capable of carrying commercially viable loads on the LAX-MEL segment?

[KeithMEL]

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1199265181.html

Australia and the United States will start talks on an open-skies aviation deal within the next six weeks to open up the lucrative trans-Pacific route between the two countries, Australia's government said on Wednesday.

...

A deal could clear the way for Australian airline Virgin Blue to begin flights to the United States on its carrier V Australia by the end of this year, edging open one of the world's most lucrative and protected long-haul routes.

Under the current aviation treaty between Australia and the United States, airlines based in either country can only launch four weekly flights on the route in the first year.

...

The new Labor government, elected in November, has not yet said if it supports the entry of Singapore Airlines on the route.

[soak01]

New Australian Government Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has suggested in the lead up to Open Skies Talks next month that the new Australian Government may open up the Aust-US route to competition if it is in the national interest.

I say bring it on and let SQ show QF and UA what service really is. Its also great to see that the Government is getting behind V-Australia to get rid of the ridiculous monopoly held by QF and UA.

Giving his first response to the travel media on the controversial Pacific route, Albanese said its priority was helping Virgin Blue get its US flights off the ground.

Under current regulations,airlines based in each country can only launch four weekly flights on the route. V Australia has applied for 10 and Open Skies talks planned for next month with the US are expected to open up the route. Albanese also left the door open for other carriers, including Singapore airlines, to operate on the route. “The Government does not rule out opening the route up to further competition in the future should it be in the national interest,” he said.

Full article can be found at http://www.travelweekly.com.au/dirpl...21_01_2008.pdf

[Megatop]

I say its about time!

[LionCity]

That should be the way. With SQ involved, it will give definitely provide more coverage to the new Airline to fly between US and Australia. SQ will definitely place advert on international publications, television and internet. On the overall, a plus point for Australia.