Qantas cuts costs to counter slump

       The Australian flag-carrier Qantas yesterday posted an 88% drop in annual net profit to US$96.6 million and unveiled a massive cost-cutting plan to counter the financial beating.
       The carrier, which also recorded its first half-year loss in six years, blamed the worse-than-expected result on weaker domestic and international demand for travel during the global financial crisis.
       In response, the airline vowed to slash US$1.24 billion of expenditure over the next three years in a bid to boost its ailing bottom line, but was unable to say whether it would remain profitable over the next year.
       "There has never been a more volatile and challenging time for the world's aviation industry," Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said.
       Qantas posted a net profit after tax of A$117 million (US$96.6 million) for the year to June 30, down 88% from $969 million a year earlier. It lost $93 million in the six months to June.
       Joyce said the financial year fell into two contrasting halves - the first showing a generally favourable operating environment and strong demand but the second marred by lower passenger numbers and capacity cuts.
       The airline said weakening demand for travel led to a 4.3% decline in yield and a 1.1% drop in passenger load, or seats filled, to 79.6%, forcing the group to cut capacity by 1.9%.
       The effects of the economic crisis were compounded by protracted industrial action by Qantas engineers, the H1N1 flu outbreak and costs associated with the firm's introduction of new Airbus A380 superjumbo aircraft.
       The airline said it would cut costs by A$1.5 billion over the next three years,starting with a target of $500 million in the year to June 2010.
       The cost-slashing exercise, dubbed "Q Future," would target inefficiencies in sales, fuel conservation, aircraft use,scheduling and procurement, Joyce said.
       "We are also keeping a close watch on oil and fuel prices," he said.
       The airline said that while passenger volumes appeared to have improved and yields had stabilised at the same level as in the first half of 2009, the economy remained very volatile, making it difficult to foresee future results."Given the high level of uncertainty, it is not possible to provide any profit guidance," Joyce said.
       Qantas's budget offshoot, Jetstar,helped prop up the results of the group that controls two-thirds of the Australian market.
       Jetstar grew its flight network, which includes services to Japan, and increased capacity by 14.4% in a deteriorating market, with Joyce predicting more growth to come.
       "Investment in Jetstar over the next 12 months, and beyond, will be significant," Joyce said, heralding the purchase of new Airbus A320 and A330-200 planes for use domestically and to Singapore and New Zealand.