Qantas

Last week, Qantas (ASX:QAN) announced an alliance with Middle East based Emirates. Here are the relevant summary points of the alliance deal between Emirates and Qantas:

• Qantas signs a 10 year Alliance with Emirates Airlines, the world's largest airline by passenger traffic
• Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said, "We see a path through to this business breaking even by financial year 2015. We do want to make sure Qantas international goes back to profits."

Australian airlines carrier, Qantas (ASX:QAN) have announced its full year results for FY 2012.

• Larger than expected headline loss for FY 2012 of $244 million after tax. Last year the airline brought in profits of $250 million.
• Airline cancels large US$8.5 million order for 35 new Boeing 787 aircraft.
• The Boeing Dreamliner order cancellation will reduce Qantas capital spend by $US8.5 billion (A$8.1 billion).

As the 21 days of negotiations expire, Qantas (QAN) says they are committed to reaching an agreement with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), and the pilots' and aircraft engineer's union by midnight tonight, but the three unions believe otherwise. Qantas Spokeswoman Olivia Wirth said, "We're very much committed to these negotiations and we hope that we can come to a settlement."

Over 6000 domestic passengers are expected to be affected by delays due to today’s strike by Qantas' ground staff over pay and conditions.

Qantas said 27 flights had been delayed—by 15 minutes on average—and 28 flights had been cancelled. Qantas spokesman Luke Enright said flights were expected to return to normal by lunchtime.

“Things are going better than expected,” said Enright. “About 90 per cent of our flights (under the new schedule) are departing on time, which is great.”

After the loss of 1000 jobs, unions are now seeking a no-confidence vote against Qantas (ASX:QAN) chief executive Alan Joyce, which sent the airlines' shares plummeting yesterday.

A lull in the negativity came when the competition regulator gave the green light for a Qantas-American Airlines alliance, but this did not last long as shares dropped a record low of 3 cents to $1.42.

A structural shake-up is in the works for Qantas (ASX:QAN), and chief executive Alan Joyce is expected to speak about it in Canberra today. On the agenda are union issues and changes to overseas routes with hopes to reverse the losses on the airline's international flights.

Qantas (ASX:QAN) will cut costs over the next two years and cancel or postpone orders for 12 narrow body jets. As much as $700 million will be shaved off from expenses due to the slow growth in the domestic market.

In the wake of Virgin Australia's (ASX:VBA) alliance with Singapore Airlines, Qantas (ASX:QAN) announced its joint venture with American Airlines. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted preliminary authorisation to allow a coordinated marketing campaign in the Australia and US.

Qantas (ASX:QAN) shares drop as Virgin Australia (ASX:VBA) enters a long-term partnership with Singapore Airlines. With the joint venture - which still requires regulatory approval - Virgin will gain access to more than 70 destinations worldwide, while Singapore will get access to 30 on its network.

The Qantas (ASX:QAN) cabin crew is getting an offer of voluntary redundancies due to natural disasters and high jet fuel and oil prices. The airline has offered the redundancies in a deal to 7,000 staff on Thursday, the same day it reported a rise in number of passengers for its international unit.

While Qantas has assured its crew that forced redundancies will not occur, it hopes that 5 percent of its cabin crew will accept the offer.