Qantas Statement On Jetstar Pacific

QANTAS STATEMENT ON JETSTAR PACIFIC

SYDNEY, 14 January 2010: Qantas said today it remained confident in its investment in Vietnam's Jetstar Pacific and in the airline's maintenance and safety record.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said a Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) report on Jetstar Pacific identified a number of administrative and quality issues related to the airline's operations.

"We remain confident in our investment in Jetstar Pacific and confident in the airline's total commitment to safety," Mr Joyce said.

"The CAAV identified some issues and these have already been addressed by the airline.

"We will work with our Vietnamese partners on the Jetstar Pacific Board as they continue to liaise with the CAAV."

Mr Joyce said that, in addition to the CAAV's investigation, Qantas had supported a number of routine and independent audits to assess Jetstar Pacific's maintenance performance.

"The first of these was undertaken prior to the airline taking on the Jetstar brand and the most recent was finalised in October last year," Mr Joyce said.

"This audit concluded there were no safety concerns with Jetstar Pacific's operations and that the airline met regulatory requirements.

"Audits are a standard practice in the aviation industry and are an important way that we can continue to improve safety in all our businesses."

Mr Joyce condemned today's comments on the issue by the Transport Workers Union and the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA).

"Yet again, the leadership of these unions is taking an opportunistic and cynical approach based on a very poor understanding of this issue," he said.

"Statements made by the ALAEA's Steve Purvinas, in particular, indicate he is ill-informed as far as the CAAV report and Jetstar Pacific are concerned.

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (Q4002)
Media Enquiries:
Olivia Wirth T: 02 9691 4773

Qantas Airways Limited ABN 16 009 661 901
Further information and media releases can be found at the Qantas website: qantas.com

SOURCE: Qantas