[stryker]

Well, based on my personal experiences, I expect that Tiger will be my choice of LCC domestic carrier over virmin. Two totally different carriers, one professional and serious, one extremely frivolous (and expensive). Also, FWIW, I flew DJ a couple of days ago, and they haven't changed one bit.

In all seriousness, Virgin have become fat and lazy (and rip-off). I checked a fare CBR-DRW for my wife a couple of days ago, and DJ were $100 dearer than QF. Go figure! No prizes for guessing who we went with.

Virmin better be worried...

[dajop]

Originally Posted by NM

An interesting list available from their listbox. I wonder how many people will vote for Parburdoo

Not quite, although the Karinjini to north is quite impressive. But I think go slightly west of there and you're talking real possibilities... a flight from the East Coast to Exmouth to take you right Ningaloo reef, one of the truly awesome parts of Australia. Although I guess if it was that easy to get to, that would make it far less special.

[Lindsay Wilson]

Tiger Airways targets smaller airports and regional cities as part of its assault on Australian market...

[codash1099]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Wilson

Tiger Airways targets smaller airports and regional cities as part of its assault on Australian market...

I'd imagine that they would have to fly at least some of the trunk routes in order to maximise a/c utilisation. After all, one of their major savings is the number of hours their a/c stay in the air. Given the airport restrictions (and connections with overseas flights) PER would have to be prominent, with plenty of red-eyes to the East coast.

[oz_mark]

Originally Posted by codash1099

I'd imagine that they would have to fly at least some of the trunk routes in order to maximise a/c utilisation. After all, one of their major savings is the number of hours their a/c stay in the air. Given the airport restrictions (and connections with overseas flights) PER would have to be prominent, with plenty of red-eyes to the East coast.

Given the length of flights from PER to the east, five planes wouldn't go very far.

[d15.in.oz]

It is no secret that Singapore Inc (what ever brand you use to describe it) was interested in buying Ansett (/entering the Australian domestic market)! Only thing is, they are a little bit more savvy about how they have gained control, compared to the Kiwis (no offence to non-airNZ business people).

If you have a medium to long term air transport industry investment eye on Australia, and want to pick up easy entrance and existing customers - then Ansett is/was a great buy. Only problem was the level of debt and staff intransigence. So a direct take over, to keep the business running in the short term, and battling it out with the staff & debtors, wasn’t the best option. Short term the airline had to go bust – debt is dispersed and re-staffing can commence on a lower cost base.

So, SingInc has gained control of Ansett, via strategic investments including involvement with Rex and SkyWest.

Ansett (or whatever brand SingInc wants to use) can now be rebuilt in the medium term. The problem is, seems the Qantas re-privatisation wild card, was not a potential strategy “work-shopped” by SingInc. And although it has taken a few months to evolve (which in Australian terms is well planned, but in SingInc’s world is knee jerk) we see the Tiger Airways brand being tossed around.

I can’t make sense of it though... A debt laden Qantas is an excellent proposition, in the medium term, for existing market player expansion!

Perhaps SingInc’s purpose is -

• Make Qantas air-asset units (e.g. JetStar) harder to sell off post re-privatisation. (The idea of Tiger entering the market will reduce JetStar’s individual sell-off value.)
• Subterfuge to help the Australian government promote the idea of competition, designed to encourage the sale to continue.

Either way, we are watching one of the biggest corporate spin events in Australia’s history evolve…

And hopefully, we the travelling public (and by extension the Australian economy) will be better off for it!?

P.S. Bring on the 34” seat pitch, in back cabin service to WA!

[codash1099]

Originally Posted by oz_mark

Given the length of flights from PER to the east, five planes wouldn't go very far.

If you flew them on the redeye schedule, they'd be right where you wanted them for the daily peaks on the east coast, then send them back at night. 5 would be plenty.

[d15.in.oz]

Originally Posted by codash1099

...5 would be plenty...

Indeed 5 is perfect for –

• Twice daily to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane
• Daily to Canberra & Coolangatta (or add an extra flight to Sydney & Melbourne)
• 3 times a day to Adelaide, with improved Rex connections to regional destinations from the Rex terminal in Adelaide!

[oz_mark]

Originally Posted by d15.in.oz

Indeed 5 is perfect for –

• Twice daily to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane
• Daily to Canberra & Coolangatta (or add an extra flight to Sydney & Melbourne)
• 3 times a day to Adelaide, with improved Rex connections to regional destinations from the Rex terminal in Adelaide!

Now what if you wanted to try to feed your DRW-SIN service?

[d15.in.oz]

Originally Posted by oz_mark

Now what if you wanted to try to feed your DRW-SIN service?

Such an interesting question… can I expand further, and add that Darwin-SouthEastAsia can be operated easily by regional (or single aisle) jets! (Out to about North China and East India!) I also wondered why Darwin airport sold for such a comparatively high price!