Qantas today announced their major network shakeup today a week ahead of schedule, this was due to the International arm performing poorly. Going by some of the announcements they can't be going that bad!
The announcements include:
- An order for 110 Airbus A320neo with options for a further 94, aircraft. This is the biggest single aircraft order in Australian history. These aircraft will be distributed throughout the Jetstar group, the un-named Chinese carrier to be launched and Qantas mainline.
- 9 747-400s will be re-configured with the Airbus A380 interior.
- 6 A380s will be deferred by six years.
- Qantas will travel to London only via Singapore. Bangkok and Hong Kong will now be code share flights with British Airways.
- Qantas will use a new code share with Malaysian Airlines to other European destinations.
- Flights to Buenos Aires will be cut in favor of flying to Santiago.
- The 747 and 737-400 fleet will be retired resulting in 1000 job cuts. Three standard 747s and all 747-400ERs will remain in the fleet.
- Qantas in partnership with JAL and Mitsubishi will launch Jetstar Japan which will feed Qantas and Jetstar services to Australia.
- A premium carrier will be set up in China, this will not be named Qantas.
- Qantas says the first Boeing 787 for the Qantas group will now be delivered in January 2013 and will go to Qantas mainline rather than Jetstar.
- A new Frequent flyer tier 'Platinum One' will launch later in the year giving greater benefits to frequents flyers
This is about all I can find of significance, I got my details from Twitter and ausbt.com.au
This page may also be of interest:
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/a-new-spirit/global/en#.TkoBwFYSniE.twitter