More planes means more WA meat exports

Allowing Qatar Airways to purchase a minority stake in Virgin Australia would encourage more exports of Australian chilled meat to the Middle East, Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade Rick Wilson MP has said in a submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

“In particular, the airlines’ proposed collaboration would double the number of flights from Perth to Doha, and help reduce the $20-$25 per head extra cost Western Australian chilled sheep meat exporters pay, compared to their east coast counterparts, to air-freight their produce overseas due to a dearth of international flights,” Mr Wilson said.

“Because it is four hours closer by air to the Middle East, WA has a latent comparative advantage over the eastern states that would be actualised if there were more flights.

“The airlines’ proposal to double the flights, and operate larger aircraft, will increase the opportunity to export chilled sheep meat from WA, which in turn is critical for WA producers who have been inordinately hit by the Albanese government’s move to ban live sheep exports by sea.”

Mr Wilson said that, as a major hub, Doha provides extensive trans-shipment opportunities into other markets, especially in other areas of the Middle East, and North Africa – markets that are critical for diversification.

“The government must do more to encourage access for additional airlines to operate into and out of Australia,” he said.

“Doing so will result in greater competition, deliver increased passenger and freight capacity, and provide more options for exporters of time-sensitive chilled meat and at a lower cost than currently is the case.

“That is why I welcome Virgin Australia’s planned tie-in with Qatar Airways, and have encouraged the ACCC to approve the move.”

Submissions to the ACCC on the airlines’ planned collaboration can be found at the bottom of the following web-page: https://www.accc.gov.au/public-registers/authorisations-and-notifications-registers/authorisations-register/virgin-australia-and-qatar-airways