Qantas gave Labor feedback on airline it said didn’t ask to expand
Qantas says it provided feedback to Transport Minister Catherine King on a request from Turkish Airlines on July 7, two weeks before the minister denied the airline had asked for permission to fly to and from Australia.
A spokesman for Ms King told The Australian Financial Review on July 23 that Turkish Airlines had not applied for additional air rights after the airline’s chairman said he had encountered difficulties with the approvals process.
Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat at a launch event at Melbourne’s Crown Casino on July 21. Eamon Gallagher
On September 7, Ms King also told the ABC’s 7.30 that media had incorrectly reported on the matter in an interview, saying Turkish Airlines “have, in fact, actually only just asked” to expand its flights.
But on Friday, Qantas gave answers to a Senate inquiry into bilateral air services agreements, saying it had been asked as far back as June 9 for its views on both Turkish and Vietnamese air rights, before being asked to provide a formal submission regarding Turkish Airlines.
Qantas said it had provided the submission on July 7.
Turkey’s first request to expand its services came in November last year, documents tabled revealed, as international carriers globally struggled to return to full capacity because of issues securing parts, pilots and planes, which has pushed airfares higher.
Ms King is also under pressure to explain why she blocked Qatar Airways from expanding its services to Australia, which experts say would have increased competition and potentially lowered airfares.
Qantas objected to Qatar’s application, at the same time as telling investors to expect record earnings from its international division due to the capacity restrictions.
Ms King’s spokeswoman
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