Four Corners


UNITED STATES Get involved and drive the benefits!


As I look forward to taking over the presidency of IFSA from Vicky Stennes in September at our Seattle conference, I have to ponder how our industry and our associations look to the future. There is no doubt in my mind that


David Loft


vp sales and service, Flying Food Group


“Let’s get involved. We can achieve


more as a whole than as a


fragmented industry”


AUSTRALIA Domestic airline meals make a comeback Pat Osborne


sales director Alpha Flight Services Australia


This airline business never stands still long, it’s super reactive to passenger needs and in some cases, smart at influencing people to travel in a certain way. Thankfully, it drags the flight caterer with it. Let me explain in the context of Australia. In our domestic airline business


“We’re entering


another era, with domestic Virgin


Australia all set to offer a substantial meal service”


we have three major airlines, Qantas (including Qantas Link), its subsidiary Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. Qantas started Jetstar in 2004 to provide a lower-cost option and to compete with Virgin. These two low-cost carriers made


travel affordable across our vast land. Back in the 1980s an economy return fare from Perth to Sydney was $800. Now my mates will tell you that I’m fairly frivolous with my


money, but I’d pack the wife and kids in the car and drive 4000km rather than fork out $3200 to fly across Australia, and let me tell you the roads were busy with coaches, cars and the occasional kangaroo doing the same trek! Now of course, that same flight


can be purchased for less than $600, the once busy highway is now quite empty and air travel is standard for the masses. Low cost carriers gave travellers


a cheaper option, but no food – unless you wanted to pay for it. This had a massive impact on the flight caterer, and the busy kitchens practically ground to a halt. Last year Virgin announced that it was embarking on a campaign


to upgrade its service to include a business class offering, aimed at the lucrative business traveller whose choice has been Qantas full service. Over the past few months we’ve


seen that unfold. It’s now called Virgin Australia, a celebrity chef has been appointed, terrific new uniforms adorn the crew and fairly soon I think we can expect to see the new business class cabin. Some could say we’re entering yet


another new era of travel, just when we thought that a traditional meal service was reserved for the Qantas flagship carrier, we now have Virgin Australia all set to offer a substantial meal service in a premium cabin across its domestic network. Can’t wait to see what’s next?


www.onboardhospitality.com 31


trade associations in all industries can and do have great value for their members, from networking, to trade shows, industry standardisation and representation. As I speak to different people


around the globe about our industry associations, I hear many different comments, some very positive, some less so about the apparent benefits derived, and the reasons for being members. Some of this I understand is


related to the cost and apparent value of the membership as well as trade show costs. However, I also believe this can be overcome by greater participation and involvement by the industry itself. What we must remember is that


an association is by definition ‘an organised body of people who have an interest, activity, or purpose in common’ and is therefore only as good as its members’ involvement. It can only provide the benefits to its members that the membership dues and income are able to cover, as well as benefits that come from members’ input themselves. Board members are to guide


the association for the benefit of the members; they are not a


corporation providing consultancy services to an industry or simply a ‘for profit’ tradeshow organisation. Many people within the association are giving up personal time to work on the members’ behalf, organising events as well as monitoring government issues that can affect our industry. So, let’s get involved, decide what


is wanted from membership and then work with the associations. With your participation in the associations, you will be the driving force of the industry in the future to better add value to you and your company alike. Remember, we can always achieve more as a whole than as a fragmented industry!


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