INTERVIEW QANTAS
In Person With... ERIC JELINEK
International business is tough but a new UK team and on-board innovations will keep interest in the Kangaroo Route healthy, says Eric Jelinek, Regional General Manager UK & Ireland, Qantas
ERIC JELINEK Regional General Manager UK & Ireland Qantas
Describe your main role and responsibilities at Qantas In my new position as Regional General Manager UK & Ireland my role will focus on the strategic development of Qantas Airways in the region, through maximising the profitable operation and working to improve profitability of Qantas International, revenue growth, sales and marketing.
How would you describe the general level of interest – and business – in travel to Australia from the UK right now? Our double daily, A380 service is enjoying healthy loads, which must mean interest is good! Qantas’ A380 services between London and Sydney/ Melbourne offer customers new levels of comfort, innovation and style. Qantas is the airline with the best experience in flying to Australia and the only carrier in the UK market wholly focused on the sales and marketing of destination Australia and we are confident that the future is bright for the ‘Kangaroo Route’.
Does the recent announcement of a new UK and Ireland leadership team suggest a ‘shake-up’ or new approach? Without doubt the new leadership team represents a new and fresh approach. It is no secret that whilst the Qantas group is still very profitable our international network is faring less well in the current climate. The new
leadership team and well-documented restructuring of the business into two separate business units, Domestic and International, is to ensure there is a dedicated team focused and accountable for the international business. In the UK it will mean that we will continue to receive strong support from our head office in assisting our commercial efforts.
Bring us up to date with any recent additions/upgrades/new aircraft, etc, on the ‘Kangaroo Route’. From a product perspective, having a double-daily A380 service from London to Sydney and Melbourne is very exciting. We have dedicated crews on our A380s, which have been hand-picked to ensure we deliver outstanding customer service. To outline an example of this
premium on-board service, in International Business and First, passengers have access to our Sommeliers in the Sky, cabin crew who have been exhaustively trained in all aspects of wine service. We also continue to work with Qantas Consulting Chef Neil Perry to provide a new benchmark in inflight dining.
How has the axing of the Hong Kong and Bangkok routes out of London helped ease the pressures on your internatioal business? We see the JSA agreement with British Airways as a really strong positive partnership where both airlines can combine their strengths and create a sustainable business with customer benefits being the main objective. We are confident that Qantas’ strategy to boost product, switch to gateway hubs and broaden and strengthen alliances will ultimately see growth for the international mainline. The JSA will improve profitability on the remaining London routes and allowed for the early retirement of four older Boeing 747- 400 aircraft from the Qantas fleet.
Is capacity out of the UK at the right level? There are over 28 carriers
“Qantas is the only UK carrier wholly focused on the sales and marketing of destination Australia. The future is bright for the Kangaroo Route”
competing for business on the ‘Kangaroo Route’ and Qantas and British Airways’ decision to realign the network was linked to an ongoing and sustainable operation. We see the current joint capacity offering as appropriate to our business objectives.
How important is the UK trade (agents/operators) for Qantas’ UK business? The UK trade is extremely important and will always represent the majority of our business. We work closely with key operators and agents and work on developing strong relationships and making sure we retain our leadership of the air travel market to Australia, ensuring all communications are in place to work together toward a common and mutually beneficial goal.
Do you have any specific trade
campaigns/road shows/workshops, etc, lined up in the remainder of 2012? Currently we are activating our plans for the 2012 / 2013 financial year and have campaigns upcoming with many of our trade partners, a number of which will be launched this month (September) around the second phase launch of the Tourism Australia ‘There’s nothing like Australia’ campaign.
What’s your idea of the perfect holiday? For me there really is nothing like Australia! Having spent the last 15 years living in Sydney I really fell in love with the place; trust me it doesn’t take too long to adjust to enjoying a barbie on the beach on Christmas Day! Now I’m based back in London, I’m hoping to spend some time in Europe. I have family in Spain and it was fabulous to be back in time to enjoy London 2012!
www.sellinglonghaul.com • September 2012 67
TOURISM AUSTRALIA
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92