Qantas - 10 Years Since Privatisation
Qantas - 10 Years Since Privatisation
Qantas - 10 Years Since Privatisation
Privatisation
Sydney, 30 July 2005
Qantas will celebrate an important milestone in its history this weekend, with 31 July
the 10th anniversary of its listing as a public company.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said that in a constantly
evolving and highly competitive environment, the Qantas Group had achieved a
great deal since 1995.
"As well as dealing with the huge cultural, financial and operational change
associated with the transition from a Government-owned company to a fully
privatised business, Qantas has weathered one of the most turbulent periods in
aviation in the years since privatisation - particularly the last five years," Mr Dixon
said.
"With the support of its staff, Qantas has managed the challenges better than most to
ensure that the company is currently in a reasonably strong position.
"Over the past 10 years, we have delivered good returns to our shareholders,
employed large numbers of Australians and provided domestic and international
aviation services that are generally regarded as being among the world's best."
Mr Dixon said that since privatisation in 1995, Qantas had:
* grown staff numbers by almost 30 per cent - from 30,000 in 1995 to more than
38,400 staff today - the vast majority of them in Australia;
* more than doubled the number of passengers carried each year, from 16 million in
1995 to more than 32 million in 2005;
* increased the number of flights it operates from 1,900 flights a week (including 250
international services) to more than 5,000 a week (including 600 international
services);
* expanded its network significantly, from 86 destinations in 26 countries, including
48 in Australia, in 1995 to 145 destinations in 40 countries, including 62 in Australia
operated by four Qantas Group airlines today; and
* grown its fleet by 47 per cent, from 136 aircraft in 1995 to 200 in 2005.
Key financial statistics for the 10 years include:
* total shareholder return since the float (including dividend reinvestment) of more
than 340 per cent (based on an issue price at float of $1.90);
* total dividends paid to shareholders to date of $2.15 per share (prior to final