Qantas, British Airways say no merger as talks end

British Airways PLC and Qantas Airways Ltd. called off their merger talks Thursday after failing to agree on the terms of a potential deal. The move left the British airline free to pursue other agreements with European carriers as the industry braces for a significant slowdown.

Qantas full-year profit up 44%

Qantas has increased its full year profit by 44.1 per cent but says it is starting to feel the effect of higher fuel costs amid an uncertain economic outlook.

Fuel Costs Clip Qantas's Wings

The Australian flag carrier says higher jet fuel responsible for its 2.6% decline in second-half net profit, and a slowing and uncertain economy keeps its outlook in check.

Branson's Virgin Blue cuts Australia flights

Sir Richard Branson's Australian airline, Virgin Blue, announced today it would ground a further two aircraft as it tries to ease the pinch of soaring fuel bills. The three per cent reduction in route capacity brings overall cuts by Virgin Blue to 12 per cent since June.

Qantas route cuts a blip on buoyant hotel horizon

NEWS that Qantas is cutting the number of flights to some parts of Australia, including the Northern Territory, is a blow for hotel operators. Owner-operator GPT's Ayers Rock Resort could suffer as it is already under pressure from falling international visitor numbers and the stronger Australian dollar.

Phones on planes, continued: The dial-high club

Mobile phones on planes may not be as annoying as some people thinkAS AIRLINES struggle with high fuel prices, they have been looking for new ways to generate "ancillary revenues". This week JetBlue, an American airline, said it would start charging $7 for a pillow and blanket on some flights. Other airlines are demanding extra to check in luggage, or for more legroom. And as the regulatory hurdles to using mobile phones on planes continue to fall, airlines are salivating at the idea of charging passengers $2.50 a minute to make calls and 50 cents for a text message.It should come as no surprise that Ryanair, the leading European low-cost carrier, which generated EURO488m ($690m) in ancillary revenue last year, is one of the most enthusiastic proponents of in-flight calling. It plans to fit its entire fleet with the necessary equipment, which is being provided by OnAir, an in-flight communications provider backed by Airbus, Europe's planemaking giant. Oman Air, TAP Portugal, bmi and AirAsia are also adopting OnAir's technology. AeroMobile, a rival technology provider, has signed up airlines including Emirates, Qantas and Turkish Airlines. ...