Qantas announced recently that it would acquire up to 188 narrowbody aircraft to support the further growth of its two brands, Qantas and Jetstar, in Australia and Asia. Budget carrier Jetstar is set to open new regional aviation bases in both Darwin and Perth over the next two years to serve fast growing Asian markets. Qantas Chief Executive Mr Geoff Dixon said the aircraft would be principally B737-800s, which were Qantas' main narrowbody aircraft, and A320s, which were the core aircraft … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Qantas commits to large narrowbody orders

Qantas has joined the growing list of international carriers that have pleaded guilty to collusion and price fixing for conspiring to fix charges for cargo shipments, with the airline agreeing to pay a fine of US$61 million. Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the illegal conduct involved fuel surcharges on the lucrative US-Australia trade between 2000 and 2006. Qantas is estimated to have booked more than US $600 million in freight during the period under … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Qantas latest to be hit in price-fixing scandal

There was a burning question begging to be asked recently. It was an obvious, but highly sensitive one that the assembled journalists were clearly itching to ask the Lufthansa Cargo boss at his recent briefing in Frankfurt. What was the situation with Moscow's suspension andthen temporary resumption of Lufthansa's overflight rights? The answer, in no way a surprise, succinctly summed up the situation. The issue had become a high level political one, and a tense one at that, explained Andreas … [Read more...] about A new Cold (Air) War?