Tag Archives: qantas

Crocodile escapes on a plane bound for Melbourne

Yesterday, 24 September 2012, Qantas confirmed that a crocodile had managed to break free during a flight bound for Melbourne.

The reptile escaped from its cage on the flight that took off from Brisbane, last week, and was found roaming free in the cargo hold. It was discovered by a shocked baggage handler when he opened the aircraft’s cargo area. Thankfully the croc, which was not fully grown, was quickly and safely captured and rushed back to its cage without incident. (Source: Daily Mail)

Australian Air Express, the cargo company responsible for Qantas’s baggage handling is investigating the event.

It’s not the first time a crocodile has managed to escape on a plane. Back in 2010, on an internal flight in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a small airliner crashed into a house, killing twenty people, after a crocodile smuggled into the aircraft escaped and started a panic. (Source: The Telegraph)

 

Qantas Update: Airline offering 70,000 affected passengers compensation after recent strikes

After the recent strike action that resulted in Qantas dramatically grounding all of its fleet of aircraft and the subsequent ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to permanently end the dispute – Qantas has been requested to offer compensation to the 70,000 passengers affected.

In a statement, it said: “Qantas agrees to, and accepts, the ACCC’s request that it compensate passengers for all reasonable losses incurred as a direct result of the grounding.

“Qantas has always intended to ensure that disrupted customers incur no financial loss.”

The airline is offering compensation by way of refunds, rebooking’s and paying out for any extra costs incurred by passengers who plans were affected.

As previously advised the airlines are responsible for offering customers alternate flights and/or compensation for additional accommodation so these elements would not be covered under the policy. All policyholders should therefore seek reimbursement of any costs relating to the strike, for example missed departure of missed connections, from Qantas airline.

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Qantas and union members had been involved in a dispute over a restructuring plan for the airline Qantas has resumed its flights after an independent tribunal ordered a permanent end to the industrial dispute with its union members.

Qantas said it had received permission from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to resume flights. The move comes after Fair Work Australia issued a ruling, after hearing evidence from the airline, unions and the government. Qantas grounded all Saturday’s flights, affecting some 70,000 travellers. “Qantas sincerely regrets the impact on customers of industrial action over recent months and looks forward to a rapid recovery and period of stability.” the company said in a statement. “Qantas expects to restore its schedule to normal within 24 to 48 hours.” it added. The dispute took a dramatic turn on Saturday when in an unprecedented move, Qantas grounded all international and domestic flights.

Whilst flights have now been resumed, Qantas grounded all flights during the weekend affecting many travellers. The cut off day and time for purchasing policies was Saturday 29th October 2011 10.00am GMT therefore policyholders whose policy was purchased after this date will not be covered under the policy for these strikes for Travel Delay, Abandonment and Missed Departure claims.

Please note that the airlines should make themselves responsible for offering clients alternate flights/compensation for additional accommodation and so these elements would not be covered under the policy.

Customer Notice: Qantas long-haul pilots vote to strike

Qantas long-haul pilots have voted for industrial action against the airline for the first time since 1966.

More than 90% of 1429 Qantas pilots who voted in a ballot were in favour of the action. A final strategy will be mapped out over the weekend.

“It’s up to us what action we will be taking,” said Australian International Pilots Association vice-president, Richard Woodward.

The association has cited concerns about the outsourcing and off-shoring of pilot jobs at Qantas.

AIPA president, Captain Barry Jackson, said the aim of the action was to get a clause in an enterprise agreement guaranteeing Qantas pilots would operate Qantas long-haul flights.

“The issue that pushed us towards taking protected industrial action is a fundamental one – keeping Qantas pilots operating Qantas flights,” said Jackson.

“We now have a management team in charge who believe you can shift operations to Asia, outsource the jobs of Australian Qantas pilots and not do any damage to the Qantas brand in the process. They are wrong.”

Qantas, in a statement, said it was disappointed by the pilots’ action.

The airline said: “The pilots’ union is demanding pay increases, free flights on top of already heavily discounted airfares and a requirement that pilots on all Qantas airlines, including Jetstar, are paid the same high rates as Qantas pilots.”

Columbus Direct customers who purchased their policies before 29th June 2011 08.00 GMT will be covered and claims considered under Travel Delay, Abandonment and Missed Departure. Any policies purchased after that date not be covered for these strikes under Travel Delay, Abandonment and Missed Departure.

Please note that the airlines should make themselves responsible for offering clients alternate flights / compensation for additional accommodation and so these elements would not be covered under the policy. 

We would be very grateful if you could please distribute this information to all staff members. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.