Premier intervenes in airport-Qantas feud

Premier Colin Barnett has spoken to the heads of Qantas and Perth Airport in a bid to end an impasse over plans to run direct flights to London and Europe from Perth. The revelation came as a union with hundreds of members at Perth Airport accused the private operators of putting “profit before jobs” and urged the Federal Government to intervene. As Perth Airport defended its role in the negotiations, it emerged the Premier had held separate talks with the feuding parties on Monday. At the centre of the matter is a dispute over who should pay for upgrades to the airport’s domestic terminals needed to accommodate the Boeing 787 planes. Qantas claims the upgrade will cost A$25m but the airport says the figure will be closer to A$40m once work outside the terminal is taken into account. It also claims Qantas has refused to guarantee it would continue to provide the service, leaving the airport to carry most of the risk. While Barnett met Perth Airport CE Kevin Brown in person, it is understood he spoke to Qantas boss Alan Joyce on the same day. It is understood Mr Barnett was satisfied with the outcome. Barnett’s involvement comes amid growing calls for the State and Federal governments to help solve the deadlock.<br/>