Project Sunrise moves closer

The world’s longest non-stop flights moved a step closer at the weekend amid Australian media reports based on an emailed internal memo that Qantas is preparing to go ahead with Project Sunrise but at the cost of a possible union confrontation.

The airline is facing a deadline of 31 March from Airbus to confirm an order for long-range A350-1000s but is still in talks about Project Sunrise with the Australian & International Pilots Association.

The new reports suggested the airline could now go ahead with or without a deal, with one option being offering contracts to individual pilots or setting up a non-union division of specialist Sunrise personnel.

At stake is Qantas’ ambition to operate 18-21hr non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to New York, Melbourne and Paris, building on the momentum created by the London – Perth non-stop, hailed by the airline as a great success.

In last week’s email, Qantas International CEO Tino La Spina was quoted as saying: “It’s become clear that Sunrise is something that our international business needs to maximise its long-term success and defend its competitive position.”

Qantas has said previously it is seeking to launch the flights in the first half of 2023.

www.qantas.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum