Bad news, then good for Qantas

There has been mixed news for Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, which been ordered to pay an huge penalty for illegally sacking more than 1800 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Qantas will have to pay out $90 million dollars for flouting labour laws, the Federal Court ruled. 

At the same time, subsidiary QantasLink has announced it will commence flying to Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands for the first time, with flights set to take off from November 3.

As part of a five-year partnership with the Australian Government that includes both passenger and dedicated freight services, the new flights will provide essential connections for the more than 2,500 residents across both territories, supporting local communities, government operations, tourism and freight.

Available for booking from today, the new services will also make it easier for Australians to reach the remote islands through Qantas’ extensive international and domestic network.

QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan says the airline is delighted to serve the remote Australian territories.

“We’re proud to have been selected by the Australian Government to provide these essential services to the Indian Ocean Territories,” she said. “QantasLink has a long history connecting remote communities across Australia, and we’re committed to delivering a reliable and warm service to customers.

“We look forward to supporting these island communities and helping maintain their vital connection to mainland Australia, while also making it easier for Australians to discover the incredible natural beauty and unique cultures of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.”

The services will operate twice weekly using Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Flight time is approximately 5 hours from Perth to both destinations.

A company you might want to avoid when you travel

Travelling to Europe? P&O Ferries is a company that you might want to avoid.

You might recall P&O Ferries attracting widespread opprobrium for abruptly sacking 800 union workers earlier this year.

The company laid off the workers without notice and replaced them with low-wage agency staff. The move caused outrage from British trade unions and the public.

But this being chaotic post-Brexit Britain, no action will be taken against the company even though it admitted it had broken labour laws.

After being ordered to investigate, the Insolvency Service now says there is "no realistic prospect of a conviction", Travel Mole reported.

The news comes as P&O Ferries’ parent DP World - an Emirati multinational logistics company based in Dubai - posted record profits.

The decision outraged union Nautilus International.

“This is a deeply disappointing decision and will be met with frustration and anger by the seafarers and their families who were so cruelly discarded by P&O Ferries,” general secretary Mark Dickinson said.

“Only one day after P&O Ferries parent company announced record profits, we are further let down by a system that fails to punish apparent criminal corporatism.

“The message is clear, P&O Ferries must be held properly accountable for their disgraceful behaviour.”

P&O operates ferry routes including Dover to Calais, Hull to Rotterdam and Liverpool to Dublin. 

Some travellers might think it worth finding alternatives.