$109m profit isn’t that flash when Jetstar itself reported $400m, let alone Qantas domestic which was even higher. You have to ask is that the best it gets ($109m), as they did cut off a whole lot to costs prior.
That’s the issue with running the middle of the market airline models. You cede high margin corporate accounts to the competitor, and chase the lower SME margin, or leisure passengers. You have low cost carriers cutting your lunch on one end, and you have full service taking your corporate dollars on the other.
It would be great if Virgin could shift back a few of those full service features. Small things like free wifi, and free snacks. They dont cost the earth.
Yep if they want to be taken seriously they need to get back into wide body international services. They’re most an also ran when you’re just running some two bit domestic operation with single aisle planes.
The government wants to make it easier for emerging and regional airlines to get the highly coveted slots. Any changes to Sydney Airport’s operations require legislation to be passed by parliament.
Qantas also revealed that the launch of non-stop flights from Australia to New York and London have been postponed to mid-2026, due to manufacturing and certification issues.
That special flight is QF7168 and leaves from the international terminal. However, according to Qantas website, the departure has been delayed apparently due to storms in Sydney this evening.
As first reported in today’s Herald Sun, works will commence in March for the second stage of Naarm Way project at Melbourne Airport, connecting to a new pick up/drop off area on the third level of the existing multi-storey parking complex beneath Parkroyal Hotel. 1500 car parking spaces will be permanently lost. Once the project is complete in 2026, the existing space in front of the terminals will be used only by commercial vehicles such as SkyBus, taxis, rideshare services and shuttle buses.
I hope this is not the final design for the Naarm Way stage 2. The video and images suggest the only way to access level 2 and 3 will be from Tullamarine Freeway, with no ramp from Centre Road/Airport Drive (there is one to join Naarm Way to T4 car park). Conversely, the off ramps from level 2 and 3 lead directly to Melbourne Drive and eventually Tullamarine Freeway, with the current shorter off ramp from T1 to Centre Road to be demolished to accommodate the new road. If Melbourne Airport is serious about using Airport Drive as an alternative access route for travellers (especially those who drive to/from M80 Ring Road), it needs to build new ramps linking the new elevated pick up/drop off area and Centre Road.
Despite a very successful first season in Australia, Virgin Cruises has announced it will not operate voyages Down Under for the 2024/25 season, due to security concerns on the Red Sea affecting the repositioning of one of its ships.
If you are talking about level 1 of multi storey car park, that will be retained for valet parking but with less spaces for both Virgin and Qantas passengers.
