Asia offers high flying opportunity for Qantas

Asia offers high flying opportunity for Qantas
By admin


Asia is a vital factor to the future of Qantas, according to the airline’s CEO Alan Joyce.

Joyce said the rise of Asia was a major aspect of the aviation industry to consider, given the region boasts “the most competitive airlines in the world.”

Joyce spoke at the recent ATEC Meetings Place 2014 conference, saying that in particular, the Japanese and Chinese markets were integral to Qantas moving forward.

Qantas recently announced it will start flying from Brisbane to Tokyo’s Narita airport four times each week, as well as launching a new daily Sydney-Haneda Boeing 747 service, as it boosts its services to Japan next year by 4000 seats per week.

Joyce commented on this increase in Japanese services, saying Qantas International will “double its frequencies to Tokyo next August”, including the Brisbane-Narita services.

“With Jetstar Japan upgrading to 787’s on the Queensland to Japan service, it will contribute to a massive growth in the capacity we have in the Japanese market,” Joyce said.

Jetstar Japan is also the biggest low-cost carrier in the world, says Joyce, and if Qantas can get its marketing right, it will offer an immense leverage for the airline within Japan.

The other market Qantas is intent on capitalising on is the Chinese market.

“We’re one of the few airlines in the world to have relationships with both China Eastern and China Southern,” Joyce said.

“In fact, we’re currently seeking ACCC approval for tighter joint ventures with China Eastern to allow us to coordinate and improve schedules and connectivity into China.

“It will also allow us to take advantage of the Free Trade Agreement with the China market, which we see as a big opportunity for Qantas.”

Qantas is committed to expanding its business through a number of other strategic alliances as well, with its agreement with Emirates transforming its expansion into Europe, and its codeshare partnership with American Airlines providing the airline with “more connectivity into US states than ever before.”

“We have a chance to follow the mining boom with a different type of boom; a tourism boom that will benefit our country for decades more,” Joyce said.

“Our goal is to keep on harnessing our brand, working with our partners and building more networks to give Australia a competitive advantage in this crowded global market.”

Latest News