Heraldsun.com.au
2 Apr 2008
THE bad relations between Tiger Airlines and Qantas worsened yesterday with claims Qantas attempted to ground its competition by poaching its pilots.
Tiger's corporate affairs spokesman Matt Hobbs said the airline had raised the issue with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
He said Qantas group representatives had separately approached Tiger's chief pilot, head of check and training, head of safety and head of fleet safety with job offers.
"All of them have been approached," said Mr Hobbs. "We all know there is a pilot shortage, but these guys were offered positions not as general pilots."
Mr Hobbs said that the approach was made during the past six weeks and included higher salaries than what the four were paid by Tiger.
"Had any one of these people left suddenly, our aircraft would have been grounded," Mr Hobbs said.
Qantas officials declined to make any response, but a spokesman for the carrier's discount brand Jetstar said Tiger employees, including several management pilots, had recently answered Jetstar job advertisements.
The latest spat follows another stoush prior to Christmas when Qantas refused refuelling facilities to Tiger aircraft at Alice Springs.
The four pilots, who are believed to be paid a base salary in excess of the $180,000 a year and have key roles that make them responsible to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These duties are set out by CASA under an Air Operators Certificate the airline holds as a licence to fly passengers.
Mr Hobbs' comments yesterday came after the airline late on Monday claimed that flying within Australia had not been without challenges.
Tiger stated: "Tiger is aware of a coordinated anti-competitive campaign by some of its competitors to undermine its entry in Australia.
"It is important our competitors understand, whether they are the national carrier or not, that we are fully committed to the long-term success of Tiger Airways in Australia."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23469055-664,00.html
