4 replies

Ourmanin

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

Member since 08 Jun 2018

Total posts 144

Not meant to necessarily be critical. But in the last 2 / 3 weeks we've been treated to multiple daily articles on ET regarding wild speculation on VA and who will buy them, in what form, using what planes, flying to what destination, etc, etc. And since the announcement of the finalised bidder list - well, absolute silence. I just wondered why the speculation had come to such an abrupt halt now?

CBRQF

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Jul 2011

Total posts 54

Because everyone finally realised that it was pointless to speculate considering no one had any real information or knowledge? It was mostly unsubstantiated speculation and wannabe airline CEOs who at most have experience playing transport tycoon?

David

Member since 24 Oct 2010

Total posts 1,021

Hi Ourmanin, that's a decent question to ask and thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer it.

First of all, we didn't run "wild speculation on VA and who will buy them, in what form, using what planes, flying to what destination, etc, etc" – we just reported what was happening in the market, and when we mentioned fleet and routes it was always in the context of something said by the airline or administrators, rather than ambit blogger-style 'speculation'.

We're now at the stage where the bidders have been shortlisted – although there's even been a little confusion early on regarding who was on that shortlist – and now, everything that's happening is pretty much playing out in the backrooms and the "data rooms" as bidders work to firm up their pitch. Even talk of interested parties who didn't make an initial bid but might join forces with bidders in consortia (eg Queensland, Virgin Group) is shifting sand.

So, there's simply not much to 'report' right now. You'll have noticed similar on other media that've been covering the Virgin Australia take-over scene (especially AFR and The Australian, as this is very much in their business bailiwick) – since Monday they've had fewer actual stories and more analysis and almost-opinion pieces – because we're all waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Now that things have settled this past week we're looking at doing a 'state of play' update, but again, there's just a lot in motion.

CBRQF

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Jul 2011

Total posts 54

Originally Posted by David

Hi Ourmanin, that's a decent question to ask and thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer it.

First of all, we didn't run "wild speculation on VA and who will buy them, in what form, using what planes, flying to what destination, etc, etc" – we just reported what was happening in the market, and when we mentioned fleet and routes it was always in the context of something said by the airline or administrators, rather than ambit blogger-style 'speculation'.

We're now at the stage where the bidders have been shortlisted – although there's even been a little confusion early on regarding who was on that shortlist – and now, everything that's happening is pretty much playing out in the backrooms and the "data rooms" as bidders work to firm up their pitch. Even talk of interested parties who didn't make an initial bid but might join forces with bidders in consortia (eg Queensland, Virgin Group) is shifting sand.

So, there's simply not much to 'report' right now. You'll have noticed similar on other media that've been assiduously covering the Virgin Australia take-over scene (especially AFR and The Australian, as this is very much in their business bailiwick) – since Monday they've had fewer actual stories and more analysis and almost-opinion pieces – because we're all waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Now that things have settled this past week we're looking at doing a 'state of play' update, but again, there's just a lot in motion.

Great answer!

XWu

Member since 09 May 2020

Total posts 197

Actually the potential buyers articles are also published by ABC news amongst other media outlet which reflects the interests and speculation that is out there, so ET's foray doesnt stand out that much IMO

State governments putting out announcements with "partial" bids doesnt help either.

Then, REx says they want to buy VA planes which is mind boggling considering they were crying poor when the regional flights dried up just 6 weeks prior.

Frankly the best part of the whole thing is finding out who DID put a bid in; all that last minute hot air from Qld government was never serious and proven so.

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