Virgin tie-up with Etihad a blow to Qantas

[Gerald A]

ACCC grants interim approval to Virgin Blue-Etihad alliance; Qantas in talks for Jetstar partnership

http://www.centreforaviation.com/new...tnership/page1

[Brad Myer]

Won't this be more of a blow to Emirates rather than Qantas?

I would think Emirates have more to be worried about particually with their extensive European network which Etihad equally matches...

[Darren Butterworth]

They are already sharing FF points, I got virgin points with Etihad SYD-AUH-GVA and back last week.

Darren

[Andrew M]

Emirates couldn't care in the slightest about V Australia massive fleet of 5 long-range aircraft that they can't work out where they should fly them to!

Emirates is slowly taking over most of the major routes around the world

Heck 90 A380's.......and they'll probably be able to fill most of them!

[Ash W]

I think it would be more Etihad they would be more concerned about, as this tie up may well lead to a funneling of Virgin Blue's domestic passengers onto Etihad's aircraft to the Middle East and Europe rather than Emirates aircraft.

Emirates fleet size relative to V Aust, or Etihad for that matter dones't come into the equation, unless they want to fly to every possible Australian port direct.

[Jarden S]

^^Yes roll on ADL and CNS direct to DXB.

[Michael Morrison]

Originally Posted by Brad Myer

Won't this be more of a blow to Emirates rather than Qantas?.

Presumably this deal rumbles QF more than the others that were proposed. This was also the only one QF were asking to be rejected - they were quiet on the NZ/DL tie ups.

It provides another Australian airline with a one stop network to a lot of places in Europe.

[Anthony T]

Originally Posted by Michael Morrison

Presumably this deal rumbles QF more than the others that were proposed.

You bet it does, there will be EY aircraft operating VA sectors between AUH & AUS and VA aircraft operating EY sectors between AUH-EUR.

Don't think for one minute VA are going to only operate between SYD/BNE & AUH.

The aircraft from both VA & EY will be shared as it would be more efficient to do so.

EY want into LAX from AUH, The VA 777's can do this and then continue on VA's normal LAX-AUS schedule, EY can also use the VA 777's into the MAN and DUB and other European ports where QF does not have a presence to give the impression of an Australian presence at these ports.

Cheers
Anthony

[Anthony T]

Originally Posted by Jarden S

^^Yes roll on ADL and CNS direct to DXB.

Keep dreaming, ADL & CNS are too small a market for non stop flights to DXB, maybe ADL could work as a tag leg from PER or MEL but this is not something EK are keen on, as for CNS not a hope.