Microeconomic Concepts

Cowper-Smith & de Grosbois (2011, p.59) stated that airlines are not currently focusing enough on their social responsibilities, an area in which Qantas should look to be at the head of their industry. The way in which Qantas operates can have monumental impacts not only on their customers but to the environment itself. Planes although a current need in society also come with a heavy amount of baggage which influences the environment. Aircraft noise, impact on local air quality are just some of the by-products of aircraft travel (Goodman, 2009 p.14). The most discussed and criticised issue within aircraft travel in the modern climate however, is the affect that it has on the environment. This is due to amount of emissions in which are consumed through aircraft travel. Shell aviation the “leading global supplier of world-class aviation fuel and lubricants” supplies almost 7000 aircrafts with fuel each day, refuelling a plane every 12 seconds. Qantas airlines should be knowledgeable on how much fuel they are using and the type of fuel they are using. Pollution resulting from greenhouse gasses and emissions can result in horrific consequences for the environment. Examples of costs that Qantas may endure from its impact on the environment could be adding to the growing concern of global warming throughout the world (Kolstad, 1996 p.1). This is leading to issues such as sea level rising, melting of snow and ice and changes to plant growth and nutrition

Qantas is in the post maturity stage and are trying to renew in the business life cycle. These are shown by the company's profits in the last few years and the plans that have been set out for Qantas future.

1) Qantas Airways Limited is the national airline of Australia, it is also the largest airline in Australia. The Qantas Group’s principal business is providing domestic and international air transport services for passengers. Additionally, Qantas owns several subsidiary companies such as Jetstar and QantasLink that also operates flights to domestic and international locations, and Q Catering, a premium full service flight caterer.

Flight Centre is one of the Australian airlines focusing on the provision of services to the passengers through integration of quality and affordable pricing mechanism. Some of the services by Flight Centre to its consumers include holiday packages, cruises, accommodation, car hire, and insurance. The main objective of the organization is to offer competitive services at affordable prices with the aim of meeting the goals and objectives within the market and industry of operation. The main objective of this research exercise is to analyze Flight Centre of Australia and impacts of the environmental factors in relation to management decisions of the organization.

Government Policies –All businesses operating in Australia are subject to policies applied by the three different levels of government - local, state, and federal. Government policies have a big impact on Qantas. For example their economic policies (monetary, fiscal policy) have a direct impact of the level of economic activity and therefore demand for its service. The federal government’s new policy the Fair Work Act is a lot more pro worker which has increased Qantas’ operating costs. All businesses must be aware and understand all government policies in order that they are abiding by the law.

Rivalry among industry competitors has caused attention to be focused on tariff levels. Airfare prices were at an all time low in 2009. This suggested a strong competitive rivalry based on price differentiation. This price differentiation will cause a dramatic loss in revenue if these prices continue to drop and this would lead to a reduced competitiveness. In an effort to safeguard revenue and reduce expenditure, Qantas has developed a strategy to deal with a change in the external competitive environment. .

Management practices at Qantas are more flexible and adapted to suit challenges in society such as the reaction to terrorism, the introduction of viral disease and the ever changing market and customer requirements.

Another strategy that Qantas has used to respond to globalisation is through product differentiation. Qantas maintained it’s competitive advantage by providing a service which was unique and different to those of it’s competitor. Qantas was known for having ‘the best safety record of any airline in the world’. The airline was also ‘true-blue’ Australian and was Australian owned. This made the business different and attracted customers towards Qantas giving it a competitive edge over it’s foreign competition. Following the deregulation of Qantas, the business has started to lose sight of what it really was. The business has recently decided to implement another

long-term goal is to ensure that the Qantas business - domestic and international combined - exceeds the cost

Qantas is one of the most recognised and longest running Australian companies. It is the world’s second oldest airline, and has a successful history to uphold (Qantas Web Site, 2008).

Founded in Queensland Australia in 1920, Qantas has now become Australia 's biggest name in relation to domestic and international airline. Originally registered as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS). Qantas is widely regarded as one of the world 's top airlines and one of the strongest brands in Australia. Over the years it has managed to build a reputation for excellence in

Qantas is established in the Queensland outback in 1920 and after that it has become biggest domestic and international airline and strong brand in the Australia. It is enrolled as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS) and the group two airlines brands are Qantas and Jetstar those provides transportation services of the customers. Qantas created its strong brand reputation through deliver safe and secure services, focus on customer services, maintain reliability of operations and focus on maintenance, engineering and technology (Qantas Airways Limited, 2014). Quanta main business aims or objectives are:

Qantas is the world’s second oldest airline, founded in the Queensland outback in 1920. The organisation has dominated the Australian aviation industry to now be the largest domestic and international airline, employing approximately 37,500 people within 44 different countries becoming one of Australia’s strongest brands. This report will analyse the company

Upon concluding the research for the task environment, the main forces shaping the Australian Airline industry was the cost of fuel, this being such a key factor because it make s up such a big bulk of the expenses incurred by airlines and the subsequent increased competition since it deregulation in the 1990’s.The main general environment factors were that of the swine flu pandemic, being that people did not want to

Through s Porters Five Forces analysis (Figure 1 – Appendices) the greatest threat for Qantas is the rivalry. Qantas is taking advantage of this opportunity as through the alliance it creates greater certainty for the shareholders while also being able to increase its numbers in international routes to 33 one-stop destinations in Europe in addition to 31 one-stop destinations in the Middle East and North Africa (Ryan, 2012). Additionally, as competition was putting pressure on the market while Qantas was restricted by financial reasons, this alliance came as a great opportunity. Furthermore, from 31st of March Qantas frequent flier point users were able to book Emirates flights while the customers’ high status with Qantas was recognized at Emirates as well. Lastly, on European, Asian and African destinations Qantas mirrored Emirates baggage policies (from 20kg to 30kg) (Panaus Travel, 2013).