Senate Qatar inquiry: Push for more international flights for Brisbane

The federal government’s decision to protect Qantas market dominance lost Brisbane the opportunity to have more international flights and lower airfares.

REPRESENTATIVES from four Queensland airports, Turkish Airlines, Qatari business interests and unions will be among the witnesses appearing at the Senate inquiry into airservices, when it continues in Brisbane on Tuesday morning.

It follows Brisbane Airport Corporation and Queensland Airport last week making a joint plea to the inquiry, calling for more international flights to be approved for the River City.

The Senate inquiry into airservices was formed in the wake of the revelation that the Albanese Government blocked an application from Qatar Airlines for more flights into Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

There have been accusations the decision benefited Qantas, while Transport Minister Catherine King has given mixed responses as to why she made the call.

Senate inquiry into airservices chair Senator Bridget McKenzie. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Cairns Airports are all expected to have representatives at the hearing, as well as Queensland Airports which owns airports on the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach.

Inquiry chair Senator Bridget McKenzie said Tuesday’s hearing was expected to focus on productivity, domestic competition and lost opportunities, no final witness list was available last night.

“The decision by the Albanese Government to block Qatar Airways and protect Qantas market dominance remains unexplained. The additional Brisbane flights through the Middle East to Europe would have provided more destinations and cheaper airfares for Queenslanders,” she said.

Plane landing at Brisbane airport with the city in the background. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The aviation sector is clearly in need of urgent reform.

“Today‘s Brisbane hearings will provide critical evidence to ensure that Queenslanders can afford an airline ticket, that planes take off and land on time, and that bags arrive with their owners.”

Qantas chair Richard Goyder has been invited, and while it is understood he has not declined the invitation to appear before the inquiry, there has been no confirmation on if he will appear.

Qantas Group Chairman Richard Goyder. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Goyder has been under criticism as Qantas has come under fire for a range of issues, including the High Court finding the company unlawfully sacked workers during the pandemic and the ACCC taking the airline to court for allegedly selling tickets to flights which had already been cancelled.

Labor Senator Tony Sheldon criticised the inquiry for being disorganised and being unable to confirm who would be attending the hearing.

“The slapstick running of this inquiry is best symbolised by the fact Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and Qantas Chair Richard Goyder still haven’t confirmed if they’ll be attending, despite being invited two weeks ago,” he said.

“How can you have an inquiry into giving Qatar Airways greater market access, without hearing from Qatar Airways executives?”