Originally Posted by
Traveloguy
The JSA changes can be argued benefit both BA and QF as it helps with more efficient utilisation of their fleets. It does however mean that more JSA pax will commence journeys via BA in T5, especially once QF30 in its current form comes to a halt.
The exemption (to allow collaboration) by the ACCC will be interesting next renewal since one of the prime reasons cited is to maintain the number of end-to-end flights between Australian and the UK. IIRC correctly, the removal of BA9 from SIN-MEL was countered by QF29 extending beyond HKG into LHR to abide by the JSA.
Now that BA and QF have slashed the number of end-to-end flights; QF is starting an Asia airline - in effect becoming their own mid-point carrier - the JSA was allowed, in part, to negate the advantages of mid-point carriers over the two end-point carriers.
Pertinent to this discussion is Mr Joyce's assertion that the changes being implemented next year "strengthen the JSA". If this is true, surely one of the underlying processes would be for the team which has been working to realign schedules, slots etc would also ensure that the overall passenger experience is not only undiminished next year, but actually exceeds the current experience. That may be through the provision of refurbished lounges in Hong Kong and Singapore, but should it not also ensure that the same rights of lounge access experienced at LHR prior to the removal of the two QF services is met by the introduction of any new BA service - if not exceeds (as in "strengthens")?
Surely, QF would be arguing (sorry - negotiating) that, given the level of lounge access at T4 when the JSA was originally implemented - this should be a minimum under any new arrangements.
Or do they just care about the amount of revenue they can glean by renting out their exisiting slots?
BD