QANTAS's fraud isn't an oversight.
When QANTAS was caught out scamming Australians some may have been quick to assume it was an oversight - an error that would be rectified.
But a deeper analysis shows it could be a sign of a beleaguered company struggling to hold on to its once glorious position as the world’s number one airline – now it is anything but.
The disregard shown by QANTAS hints more toward dangerous desperation and arrogance and treating Australians like pawns than valued customers.
Its more than an oversight, or technical error, it’s deliberate corporate theft.
For years, QANTAS has been heralded as the 'Flying Kangaroo', an airline of trust and quality, but it’s no longer that.
It’s lost its identity and its far from whatever Alan Joyce and his executive are trying to portray the airline as.
Today’s lead story in the Herald Sun summed it up perfectly with the headline ‘The Lying Kangaroo’ – the once recognisable emblem of national pride is now a symbol of disgrace.
It no longer stirs up passions of pride but rather the opposite, and Alan Joyce must take the blame.
Alan Joyce should have resigned as CEO long ago - he’s overstayed his welcome and the brand has suffered for it.
Recent trends in the aviation sector and shifts in customer preferences have presented challenges even for giants like QANTAS.
And with the rise of low-cost carriers and international airlines offering comparable, if not superior, service at competitive prices, QANTAS found itself grappling with decreasing market share and declining loyalty.
QANTAS’s alleged fraud, mightn’t be a mere aberration but indication of a desperate company resorting to fraud to shore up finances and maintain relevance.
While QANTAS’s behaviour is disastrous for public perception, it also reflective of a poor executive team making questionable decisions.
What more fascinating for QANTAS is its audacity and the belief it would get away with the scam.
The audaciousness speaks volumes about the regard it held for Australians.
If the allegations are true, it means QANTAS has viewed its loyal customer base not as partners but as ‘punks and numbers on a balance sheet.
For a company that has relied heavily on the goodwill and patronage of Australian, this isn’t just a breach of trust but a failure to recognise how they’ve supported it.
Furthermore, it paints a picture of an executive team dangerously out of touch with its customer base and stupidly willing to gamble away years of goodwill for short-term gain.
If QANTAS’s executives were aware of and sanctioned the scam, they must be held accountable – sorry doesn’t cut it.
QANTAS now needs is to start cleaning house – and that means sacking the best part of its executive team.
The federal government's backing of QANTAS, and its refusal to grant Qatar Airlines the additional 28 flights is proving to be an embarrassment.
It’s now not just a corporation under scrutiny but the judgement of the government too.
Supporting QANTAS without ensuring its ethical conduct, the government has indirectly endorsed its behaviour.
The debacle also underscores the need for stricter oversight of corporations, even those who aren’t national icons.
The government's primary duty is to Australians, and any backing or endorsement should come with a strong assurance of ethical behaviour.
In the shadow of the QANTAS scandal, the government's rejection of Qatar's request for additional flights is now in question.
Qatar's request may alleviate some of the pressure on international routes and offer Australian travelers alternatives.
Considering recent events, it’s time the government reconsiders its position on Qatar and ensure Australians interests are front of mind and not riding gunshot for a publicly listed company like QANTAS.
QANTAS's inglorious fall from grace is now a pivotal time for introspection to regain the trust of Australians.
For the federal government, this is a wake-up call. It must ensure its support can never be interpreted as a blank cheque.
it will be the voice of Australians that will shape the trajectory of QANTAS and the Australia’s aviation policies.
Thanks George, good article. Qatar's extra flights would have reduced Aussies flights significantly. This should be looked at and the Government held to account. Not only does Qantas get tax payer dollars to survive, further they can stipulate the rules of the playing field to ensure that the Aussies that saved them, pay more. What happened to ASIC (a nepotistic, toothless tiger) with unfair competition rules? need a major clean up in Australia to be sure, or we'll end up like the damn US.