Richard Branson Calls Australian Rival Qantas a 'Financial Mess'
Photo Credit: Two Virgin Australia 777s at the gate. Flickr / motox810
Skift Take
While the instinct to help Qantas may be strong, Australia's leaders need to make sure it knows the difference between a carrier that needs a bit of temporary help and an Alitalia.
Sir Richard Branson has attacked bosses at rival airline Qantas, claiming that if it was "better managed" then it would not be in a "financial mess".
The British billionaire's outburst on his Virgin website follows Qantas' backing of a plan suggested by Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey that foreign ownership rules concerning the country's flag carrier should be relaxed.
Current laws restrict foreign stakes in Qantas to 49pc, with overseas airlines allowed to own just 35pc. Qantas claims this puts it at a disadvantage to rivals such as Virgin Australia, which is
