Qatar Airways ‘shocked and surprised’ by federal government’s decision to block extra flights

Qatar Airways’ Rebuffed Bid for Additional Australian Flights Raises Eyebrows

In a surprising turn of events, Qatar Airways executives were left startled and taken aback by the Australian government’s decision to refuse their application for additional flights to Australia. Subsequent to the veto that took place in July, the Senate inquiry’s focus has been directed towards the rejection of the airline’s application. The expansion plan entailed an addition of a hefty 28 weekly flights to Australia, as a part of their strategy to enhance customer choice.

A damaging revelation emerged after the decision made by the government to turn down the request by Qatar Airways, spawning allegations from the opposition. The opposition’s claims assert that Qantas, Australia’s national airline, lobbied to ensure Qatar Airways’ proposal fell flat, fearing an escalated competitive environment. In a peculiar sequence of events, Qatar Airways revealed to the inquiry that the news was broken to them through media outlets, with an official confirmation following many days after.

The airline’s senior vice-president of global sales, Matt Raos, voiced his confusion and dissatisfaction over the murky circumstances. “We really can’t understand why,” Raos admitted. “We currently generate $3 billion of economic benefits to Australia. We create well-paying Australian jobs, support Australian travel agents, support Australian tourism and support exporters.”

(Read Also: Flight of Dissent: Qantas Pilots Demand Chairman’s Resignation Amid Soaring Controversies)

Behind Qatar Airways’ Frustration and Disappointment

The airline executives further communicated their frustration in light of the fact that they had previously demonstrated their support for Australia in times of crisis. This includes the critical role they played in repatriating Australian citizens stranded overseas in the midst of the global pandemic. However, evidently, this had no bearing on the government’s decision concerning the additional flights.

Throughout these discussions, questions were put forth to Qatar Airways regarding whether the Australian government had ever mentioned the unsettling incident at Doha Airport involving Australian women being strip-searched. The airline executives denied any such discussions. The incident, although unrelated to the current airline controversy, had caused a significant diplomatic uproar between the two nations.

Meanwhile, in the domestic arena, the stage is being set for Qantas CEO, Vanessa Hudson, and Chairman Richard Goyder to present their evidence this afternoon, thus adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing scenario. The drama intensifies as former CEO Alan Joyce will be notably absent from the inquiry due to his overseas travels.

(Read Also: New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson ordered to sit down with union leader, lawyers for mediation)

Skepticism Lingers Amid Rising Controversies

A push is being made to ensure Joyce’s testimony is heard, with plans to summon him upon his return to Australia, thereby keeping the saga alive. Amid these revelations and debates, the fate of Qatar Airways hangs delicely balanced. The unease around the incident has been aggravated by the muddled communication and the lack of transparency regarding the reason behind the rejection of Qatar Airways’ application. And as the inquiry unfolds in the coming weeks, the international aviation industry will be keenly watching Australia’s moves.

For now, the questions outnumber the answers. Why was Qatar Airways kept in the dark about the decision until the story broke out in the media? Why was there a lack of clarity surrounding the reasons for the rejection? What role did lobbying play in the final decision? Will all these controversies surrounding the country’s airline industry taint Australia’s international relations or is it part of an anticipated competitive tussle in the aviation world? These unresolved questions, and many more, emphasize the significance and urgency of a thorough and unbiased senate inquiry.

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