Qantas launches online campaign in PR war against Virgin incursion

Qantas airlines has initiated an online petition spread via Twitter to highlight its concerns over a Government funding incentive for rival Virgin Australia.Utilisng the hashtag #FairGo4Qantas, the airline is seeking signatories to a petition to the federal Government.“As Qantas staff we are proud of our airline and we know that in any fair fight we will come out on top. However the unfair playing field in Australian aviation is a risk to the future of Qantas and all our jobs,” a statement on the Qantas website said this morning.“It means Virgin, which will be 80% foreign owned, can use its unlimited funds to weaken Qantas in the domestic market and cripple our international business. It means foreign airlines having control of an airline which accesses Australia's valuable air treaty rights. “We must not let three foreign government backed airlines take control of Virgin and ruin the Australian aviation industry for which we have fought so hard. Make your voice heard and sign the petition below to the Federal Government.”The site calls on readers to spread the word via the hashtag and ‘where possible’ to mention the @qantasairways Twitter handle.The petition has 646 signatures at the time of publication.

Qantas has appealed to the public for support via Twitter

The foreign takeover of Virgin is a risk to our future. Stand up for Australia’s Qantas. http://t.co/7O4dl0izDr pic.twitter.com/JLDqsvyGyu

— Qantas Airways (@QantasAirways) November 19, 2013

Am told @QantasAirways petition pressuring Govt on o/s ownership & @VirginAustralia has 2000 signatures in 1st hour http://t.co/Mg6dg1xOLn

— Ross Greenwood (@Ross_Greenwood) November 19, 2013