Qantas: Makes the century – just

2020 is not the year Qantas was planning.

It was going to be a year of celebrations for its 100th anniversary, record profits, and the ordering a slew of new A350’s to use on its direct Sunshine Project routes to Europe and the Americas.

All that came to a horrible end once the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in March, with Australia closing most of its domestic state borders, and all its international flights.

Instead of a record profit, it had a record loss of AU$2.8 billion. Passenger numbers have fallen through the floor, there have been, and will be more staff layoffs, lounges have been closed and routes abandoned.

Celebrate?

But survival deserves celebration – especially in adversity.

You can join the celebrations with a plethora of branded memorabilia from the Qantas Shop and there is even a book: The Flying Kangaroo (best price at Target), and a potted timeline below:

2PAXfly Takeout

The aviation industry has a difficult road ahead when it comes to sustainability. It’s going to require a relative revolution in technology, with ‘electric planes’ or hydrogen planes, or some form of jet engine that doesn’t require a carbon based fuel. And that is going to require the development of an alternative to jet engines probably.

It’s a big ask. It will take time to develop.

This move to home grown and manufactured SAF is a first step – maybe even a baby step in a very long road of innovation. In the long run, US$200 million won’t even touch the sides.

I am often critical of Qantas, but it is in the nature of a best friend. Only I can say those things because I am so ‘close’ to Qantas! That goes for Alan Joyce too. I’m often critical of his decisions, but in fairness, must say that he has brought the airline through some pretty tough times – like near-fatal crashes (A380 out of Singapore) and record deficits, and now even a pandemic. We don’t see eye to eye on the grounding of Qantas flights to end a union dispute back in 2011, but that aside, I have great respect for his abilities.

Unlike him, mathematics was never my strong point.

Congratulations Qantas! May you survive the pandemic and prosper well into the future with improved service, routes, aircraft, profits and management.