Bridget McKenzie Addresses ATAC Future Focus Conference. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie delivered a compelling opening speech at the ATAC Future Focus conference, where she discussed the state of Australian aviation and the dominant position of Qantas.
Bridget McKenzie Insights
McKenzie, who recently led a Senate inquiry into domestic aviation, shared her experiences dealing with Qantas and empathized with travel agents who faced difficulties in their interactions with the airline. She highlighted her inquiry’s challenges, including former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s refusal to participate and uncooperative Qantas representatives who appeared unprepared.
Breaking Up Qantas
Expressing her concerns, McKenzie voiced her desire to see Qantas dismantled, citing the airline’s over 60% market share in the Australian airline industry. She compared this dominance to a supermarket monopoly, emphasizing the need to address the issue. This recommendation was one of the outcomes of her inquiry, aimed at enhancing competition and preventing monopolization.
Read Also: Qantas Issues Warning of Impending Airfare Hikes Amidst Rising Fuel Costs and Global Uncertainty
Agent Struggles
McKenzie also extended her support to travel agents who had to contend with commission cuts, complex COVID credit systems, and a lack of communication. She highlighted the culture of arrogance that both she and agents had to deal with on a daily basis.
Devaluation of Qantas Points
Another issue McKenzie raised was the devaluation of Qantas points, leading to clients having to pay high sums for international travel. The decision to block additional capacity for Qatar Airways into Australia, which affected travel to Europe via the Middle East, was mentioned as a significant factor in this issue.
Acknowledging Industry Efforts
McKenzie commended the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) for their valuable input into the senate inquiry, particularly highlighting the evidence showing the significant increase in international airfares from Sydney.
Unusual Public Outcry
The senator noted that the frustration with Qantas extended beyond the travel industry, with regular Australians expressing their grievances about their experiences with the airline in an unusual manner for a Senate inquiry.
Q&A Session
During the Q&A session, an attendee voiced frustration over Qantas’ commission cuts and their impact on her work. McKenzie acknowledged the challenges travel agents face and the implications for their services.
Call for Advocacy
McKenzie urged agents to vocalize their concerns with local representatives, emphasizing the potential for change and the importance of collective effort and focus.
Importance of ATAC
The senator concluded by expressing her frustration over the blocking of Alan Joyce from the Senate inquiry and stressed the significance of the ATAC organization in addressing the issues faced by the aviation industry.
Read Also: The Longest Routes From Auckland Airport This Month
Conclusion
Bridget McKenzie address at the ATAC Future Focus conference shed light on the challenges facing the Australian aviation industry, especially concerning the dominance of Qantas. Her insights and recommendations provided a valuable perspective for conference attendees.