Australian flag carrier Qantas is likely to form some kind of alliance with another airline in the future, Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon said today.

In a flurry of publicity gimmicks that have become his trademark, British entrepreneur Richard Branson launched the first Virgin Atlantic flights from London to Sydney today, vowing to break the hold British Airways and Qantas have on the long-distance route.

Qantas Airways will probably begin flying to Beijing within a year as part of its expansion into Asia, the Australian flag-carrier’s chief executive, Geoff Dixon, said today.

Qantas confirmed today that British Airways plans to sell its 18.25% stake in Australia’s flag-carrier over the next two days.

Geoff Dixon has resigned as national coach to the GUI after just 12 months in the job.

Geoff Dixon, who was appointed by the Golfing Union of Ireland in June 2003, has resigned from the position of national coach.

Qantas Airways Ltd said its board has approved the launch of a new low cost domestic carrier in May 2004.

Australia’s competition watchdog has rejected a proposed alliance between Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand, saying the partnership would raise air fares and would not be in the public interest.

The Golfing Union of Ireland has appointed Geoff Dixon as its new full-time national coach.

A MAN stabbed two flight attendants with sharp wooden stakes yesterday as he tried to break into the locked cockpit on a domestic Australian flight, apparently in a bid to hijack and crash it.

Qantas is confident a plan to link the airline with Air New Zealand will go ahead despite opposition to the plan from Australia's competition authority.

Australian airline Qantas today said negotiations on a partnership which would see it acquire up to 25% of Air New Zealand were "fruitful".

AUSTRALIA’S Qantas Airways, buoyed

Australia’s competition watchdog today launched legal action against Qantas Airways, claiming the flag carrier slashed fares and increased seats on a domestic route to try to eliminate Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Blue.

The Australian government is talking to Qantas Airways about easing foreign ownership restrictions on the national flag carrier.

The Qantas chief executive says British Airways has promised not to sell its 22% stake in the Australian flag carrier.