Qantas has jumped to its troubled rival’s defence after Perth Airport seized a number of Virgin Australia aircraft and blocked them from being moved.
The bizarre action, which included parking a bulldozer in front of one plane, is on the back of Virgin entering voluntary administration this week.
Perth Airport said it’s owed $16 million and it’s seizing the aircraft to protect its interests – something that even Qantas has slammed.
“Even by Perth Airport’s standards, this is extraordinary behaviour,” Qantas said in a statement.
“Protecting your interests is one thing but parking a bulldozer in front of an aircraft while saying you’re ‘working to secure an agreement’ is ridiculous. It’s no way to treat a customer of 20 years. This kind of action is deeply worrying for all users of Perth Airport.”
Qantas said it has its “own dispute” with Perth Airport over what it described as “excessive charges”. That brawl has been in court for more than a year.
“As part of that, they refuse to negotiate and pay up on the terminal they have effectively taken back from us, which is valued at well over $150 million. How would they feel if we took the same approach to collections as them?” Qantas…