Qantas 2009 Annual Report Download - page 26

ENGINEERING
Qantas Engineering underwent a significant
strategic shift in the second half of the year,
transitioning from a stand-alone Maintenance
Repair and Overhaul business, to be reintegrated
into Qantas’ operational business, leading to
improved operational focus, faster and better
decision-making and increased accountability.
Its prime role is to provide world class airline
engineering services to the Qantas Group.
A major focus for Qantas Engineering in
2008/09 was operational performance
improvement following the industrial dispute
with licensed engineers.
In May 2009, Qantas announced that, after
successfully negotiating flexible work practices
with its engineering employees in Brisbane, it
would bring Airbus A330 Heavy Maintenance
onshore, securing the future of 500 engineering
jobs in Australia.
Qantas Engineering played a critical role
in the preparation for, and entry into service of,
the A380. With its unprecedented size and
new technologies, the A380 required the
introduction of new systems for spare parts,
engines and components, executed by a
dedicated support team. The A380 was also
the first to use Qantas Engineering’s new
maintenance compliance system.
QANTAS CATERING
The Qantas Catering Group includes the premium
airline catering business, Q Catering, and the meal
component manufacturer, Snap Fresh.
More than 3,000 employees undertake
menu development, food production, logistics
and related services for Qantas international
and domestic services, QantasLink, and around
35 external customers in airline and non-airline
businesses.
Q Catering is the biggest flight caterer in the
Southern Hemisphere and the first to have each of
its seven food production centres accredited to
international food safety management standards.
In 2008/09, it produced approximately 36 million
meals, received awards for its product and service
and was a key contributor to outstanding results
in the Skytrax Onboard Catering Awards for its
airline customers.
Snap Fresh produces frozen meals for airline
and non-airline customers, while continuing to
grow into new markets such as the provision of
meals for hospitals and the military.
AIRPORTS
Qantas implemented a new check-in and
boarding system across its domestic and
international network in September 2008.
The change involved more than 124 airports and
15,000 users and is delivering significant benefits
for passengers and employees.
A $75 million redevelopment of the Qantas
Perth Airport terminal began in mid-2007 and is
due for completion by early 2010. It includes a
new Chairmans Lounge, upgrades to the Qantas
Club, expanded security screening, departure
lounges and baggage reclaim, and upgraded bays
including a new aerobridge.
Construction is underway on a new seamless
transfer facility at Sydney International Terminal
for Qantas passengers with domestic connections.
The $16 million joint project with Sydney Airport
to improve the transfer of customers and baggage
is due to be operational by mid-2010.
Construction of Canberra Airport’s
$350 million Multi-User Terminal began in
April 2009. Qantas will be the largest tenant of
the state-of-the-art terminal, due for completion
in 2012. Qantas completed a 12 month,
$10 million program of improvements to its
existing Canberra terminal in October 2008.
Other terminal works include major
developments at Cairns and Gold Coast Airports
to improve the check-in, baggage collection and
departure lounge facilities used by Jetstar.
For the entry into service of the new A380,
Qantas Airports commissioned two additional
gates at Sydney International Terminal; the first
A380 gate at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4;
and a second A380 gate at Los Angeles
International Airport.
Over the past fi ve years,
Qantas Engineering has
invested $350 million in
infrastructure and training.
Qantas
24 Qantas Annual Report 2009