Qantas plays hardball for shareholders

QANTAS chief executive Geoff Dixon says all bets would be off if there is a further increase in oil prices, directly affecting aviation fuel.

He said the company would be forced to raise ticket prices, close more routes and sell parts of the business to protect shareholders.

Mr Dixon said the hardline approach would apply to the striking engineers.

They have every right to strike and I respect that, Mr Dixon told The Australian.

But we have every right to try and protect our customer base and the profitability of the company and they should respect that.

So I say, Yeah, you can strike. That's your business. Do they think we will just sit there and let them do this to our company?

Earlier this week Qantas unveiled plans to combat a $2 billion blowout in its fuel bill in the coming financial year by cutting five per cent of its capacity.

Source: news.com.au