Analysis

Why claims Australia’s aviation market is competitive don’t fly

The idea that Australia is the most competitive aviation market in the world doesn’t seem to stack up when viewed against the arguments being used to explain the Qatar decision.

Ayesha de KretserSenior reporter

Sep 6, 2023 – 6.21pm

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Former Morrison government transport minister Michael McCormack had competition concerns at the front of his mind in 2018 when he set limits on Qatar Airways expanding in Australia.

Although McCormack eventually allowed Qatar to add some flights, he imposed safeguards to protect the market from the Middle Eastern carrier “dumping” cheap seats when he partly approved the request four years after it was made.

Ayesha de Kretser is a senior reporter with The Australian Financial Review covering the aviation and tourism sectors. She has previously reported on banking, mining and commodity markets.