Ruqayyah Snyder
Qantas, founded in 1920, is an Australian airline that is widely regarded as the world's leading long-distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia. The airline is based in Mascot, a suburb of Sydney, and has a 60.8% share of the Australian domestic market as of March 2023. Qantas is subject to ownership restrictions by the Australian government, which requires the company to be at least 51% Australian-owned, with the government holding a stake through the Future Fund. Qantas has a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries and investments, including Jetstar, QantasLink, and Jetconnect, and is committed to contributing to the arts, charities, and sporting groups in the community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qantas' headquarters | Must be in Australia |
| Qantas' name | Can't be changed |
| Qantas' ownership | At least 51% Australian-owned; monitored constantly |
| Qantas' subsidiaries | QantasLink, Jetstar, Jetconnect, Qantas Freight, Australian airExpress, Alliance Airlines, and more |
| Qantas' share of the Australian domestic market | 60.8% as of March 2023 |
| Qantas' listing | Publicly listed ASX company |
| Qantas' regulation | Australian Government |
| Qantas' history | Founded in 1920 in Queensland; nationalised in 1947 |
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What You'll Learn
Qantas is majority Australian-owned by law
Under Commonwealth legislation, Qantas must maintain at least 51% Australian ownership, and the level of foreign ownership is constantly monitored. Qantas is based in Mascot, a suburb of Sydney, and by law, its headquarters must remain in Australia. The airline's name also cannot be changed, and it is widely regarded as the world's leading long-distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia.
Qantas has a broad portfolio of subsidiary businesses, including Qantas Freight Enterprises and Qantas Frequent Flyer. The airline also operates regional, domestic, and international services through its two complementary airline brands, Qantas and Jetstar. Qantas wholly owns Jetstar, as well as Jetconnect, QantasLink, and Qantas Freight. Additionally, Qantas owns minority equity stakes in other Australian and foreign airlines, such as Fiji Airways.
Qantas has a strong tie to Australia and is considered the country's national carrier, representing Australia abroad. The airline has contributed to the arts, charities, and sporting groups within the community. It also has links with the Aboriginal Australian community through its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programme. Qantas has featured the artwork of Aboriginal artists on its aircraft and has bought and donated Aboriginal art.
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The Australian government has an ownership stake
Qantas, originally registered as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, is widely regarded as the world's leading long-distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia. Qantas is based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot, adjacent to its main hub at Sydney Airport.
Qantas has operated several passenger airline subsidiaries and owns stakes in other Jetstar-branded airlines in Asia, Alliance Airlines, and Fiji Airways. Qantas wholly owns Jetstar, Jetconnect, QantasLink, and Qantas Freight. Qantas has a 46% shareholding in Fiji Airways.
Qantas has been committed to contributing to the arts, charities, and sporting groups in the community. For instance, two Qantas aircraft are painted in an Indigenous Australian art scheme, featuring the artwork of Aboriginal artists such as Paddy Bedford and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Qantas also owns Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and has employed a full-time Diversity Coordinator.
In summary, the Australian government has an ownership stake in Qantas, and the airline operates as a publicly listed company with government regulations and restrictions. Qantas has a strong presence in Australia and is considered a leading brand in the country.
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Qantas owns Jetstar and other subsidiaries
Qantas is an Australian airline that is widely regarded as the world's leading long-distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia. The airline was founded in 1920 in Queensland and is currently based in the Sydney suburb of Mascot, adjacent to its main hub at Sydney Airport.
Qantas owns Jetstar, a low-cost airline that operates both international services from Australia and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand. Jetstar was established by Qantas in 2001 as a low-cost domestic subsidiary to compete with the new discount airline Virgin Blue, now Virgin Australia. Jetstar has since expanded internationally, including to New Zealand, and has grown to become one of the largest low-cost carriers in the Asia Pacific region by revenue. Qantas owns a minority stake in Jetstar Asia Airways and Valuair, with Singaporean nationals owning the remaining majority stake as required by Singapore aviation regulations.
In addition to Jetstar, Qantas also owns and operates several other subsidiaries. These include QantasLink, which operates over 2,000 flights each week to a network of 56 metropolitan and regional destinations across Australia, and Qantas Freight, which wholly owns Australian airExpress and Express Freighters Australia. Qantas also owns Jetconnect, a wholly-owned subsidiary established in 2002 that operates trans-Tasman travel between New Zealand and Eastern Australia cities.
Qantas has a diverse portfolio of subsidiary businesses, including Qantas Freight Enterprises and Qantas Frequent Flyer. The airline also holds stakes in other airlines such as Alliance Airlines and Fiji Airways, and has previously held minority stakes in other airlines such as Air New Zealand. Qantas has a strong connection to the Aboriginal Australian community and has featured Aboriginal Australian art on its aircraft.
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Qantas has links with the Aboriginal Australian community
Qantas has revealed that 1% of its staff are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The airline employs a full-time Diversity Coordinator, who is responsible for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programme. Qantas has also purchased and donated Aboriginal art. One of its art installations at its passenger lounge in Brisbane features a painting by Jenna Lee. Qantas has also had several of its aircraft painted with the art of Aboriginal artists, including Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Rene Kulitja, and Paddy Bedford.
Qantas has long-standing partnerships with organisations that positively impact the Aboriginal Australian community. The airline has supported constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and has committed to multi-channel campaigns for both NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week to promote positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-First Nations people. Qantas also supports the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism industry.
Qantas has also supported First Nations leaders, organisations, and communities in achieving their development goals through its Jawun secondee program. The airline has also increased its supplier spend on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers, generating wealth, cultural connections, and opportunities for local communities. Qantas is a founding member of Supply Nation, an organisation that connects Australian companies and governments with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
As the national carrier, Qantas plays a key role in supporting Australian communities and having a voice on social issues. The airline is committed to removing barriers to employment and promotion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, empowering them to contribute meaningfully within their communities and workplaces. Qantas also strives to reflect the spirit of Australia, which it believes is over 60,000 years old and encompasses the knowledge and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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Qantas was founded in Queensland in 1920
Qantas, originally registered as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS), was founded in Winton, Queensland, on 16 November 1920. Australian Flying Corps veterans Paul McGinness and Hudson Fysh envisioned an air service that would connect Australia to the world. The company was founded by Fysh, McGinness, and Fergus McMaster, with Arthur Baird employed as the chief aircraft engineer. Qantas is an acronym of the airline's original name, as it initially served Queensland and the Northern Territory.
In its early days, Qantas operated taxi and joy flights, as well as airmail services subsidised by the Australian government, linking railheads in western Queensland. Qantas' first aircraft was an Avro 504K, purchased for £1425. The aircraft had a cruising speed of 105 kilometres per hour (65 mph) and could carry one pilot and two passengers. Qantas built several aircraft in Longreach between 1926 and 1928, and in 1928, a chartered Qantas aircraft made the inaugural flight of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, departing from Cloncurry.
Qantas moved its headquarters to Longreach, Queensland, in 1921 and to Brisbane, Queensland, in 1930. The airline continued to expand, and in 1934, QANTAS Limited and Britain's Imperial Airways formed a new company, Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA), with each partner holding a 49% stake. QEA commenced international operations in May 1935, extending its services from Darwin to Singapore.
Throughout its history, Qantas has undergone various structural, branding, and naming changes. The company's current structure was established in 1993, transitioning from an unlisted public company fully owned by the Commonwealth to a listed public company. Qantas is widely regarded as one of the strongest brands in Australia and is the world's third-oldest airline by foundation date. As of 2023, Qantas Group held a significant share of the Australian domestic market, and the airline continues to operate regional, domestic, and international services through its subsidiary businesses.
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Frequently asked questions
Qantas is Australian-owned and based in Mascot, a suburb of Sydney. The Australian Government has an ownership stake in Qantas through Australia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Future Fund.
Under Commonwealth legislation, Qantas must be at least 51% owned by Australian shareholders.
Qantas is regarded as Australia's national carrier. However, it is not a fully government-owned entity. The Australian government has imposed restrictions and conditions on Qantas regarding ownership, headquarters, branding, and employment.
Qantas's main business is the transportation of customers using two complementary airline brands: Qantas and Jetstar. Qantas owns Jetstar, a low-cost airline that operates international and domestic services within Australia and New Zealand.
Qantas, originally registered as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, was founded in 1920 in Winton, Queensland. The airline's first aircraft was an Avro 504K. Qantas was nationalised in 1947 when the Australian Labor government bought the shares owned by QANTAS Limited.
