Qantas: Alan Joyce is talking up international restart from end October 2021

At a CAPA Centre for Aviation online event today, Alan Joyce is reported to have been talking up Qantas ability to commence international travel at the end of October this year.

“We haven’t walked away from October. … We are getting ready and still planning, and it’s our best guess at the end of October for the market to open up.”

Alan Joyce CEO Qantas

Is this wishful thinking, or is he just trying to arrest the 4.6% drop in the Qantas share price today?

A380s

He also think all the A380s will return to the air, and not just the 6 or so that have been refurbished. On the other hand – he things the Dreamliners will be able to service most of the international routes that will recommence once the borders reopen.

The A380’s have a 3 to 6 month leadtime for preparation to get back in the air.

But its the 787’s that will lead the return to international travlel:

“We have luckily enough been replacing the bigger aircraft with the 787… (it’s) such a good aircraft. It can replace entire A380s (and) 747s in terms of range (and) costs are even better than an A380.”

Alan Joyce, CEO Qantas Group

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

Alan, I so want to believe you, and the a380 and your first class is one of my favourites – but I would have to dudpend disbelief to swallow this.

If you want to read more, try the SMH and ET