Qantas welcomes falling Aussie dollar

Qantas welcomes falling Aussie dollar
By admin


Qantas boss Alan Joyce believes the airline's loss making international arm is turning a corner, and will be boosted by a falling Australian dollar.

He says the recent drop in the local currency to an eight month low will make it easier for Qantas to compete with its international rivals.

The Australian dollar has dropped from nearly 94 US cents to 87 US cents in just three weeks, due to the prospect of US interest rates rising next year.

"It narrows the gap in terms of our competitive cost base with other international carriers," Mr Joyce said.

A lower Australian dollar would also boost the airline's local business, including Jetstar, he said.

"Because we have 65 per cent of the domestic market we obviously disproportionately benefit from Australians staying home and travelling," he said.

But Mr Joyce said he'd like to see the currency fall further, to around 80 US cents.

His comments came as Qantas launched an A380 service between Sydney and Dallas/Fort Worth.

"This is a vote of confidence in Qantas's international operations going forward," Mr Joyce said.

"We believe that this business is turning the corner."

The Sydney-Dallas service – the longest route in the world – had been an "amazing success" for Qantas, Mr Joyce said.

Qantas suffered a record $2.8 billion loss in the 2013/14 year, due to a $2.6 billion writedown to its ageing international fleet and a $497 million loss from its international division.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]