Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has vowed to "vigorously" protect the airline’s domestic interests.
Speaking to the National Aviation Press Club in Sydney, Joyce said Qantas intended to talk to the relevant authorities about the issue of foreign ownership of Australian airlines.
"In February this year, a legal manoeuvre enabled Virgin’s international operations to be parked in a separate company to all intents and purposes ‘owned’ by the listed Virgin Australia," Joyce said.
"Under the Air Navigation Act foreign ownership of an Australian international carrier is limited to 49%.
"But today, Virgin Australia is more than 65% foreign owned."
Joyce said as well as contesting the foreign ownership issue, Qantas faced a busy 2013, starting with the proposed alliance with Emirates, then bedding down Jetstar Japan and securing final approval and preparing for the operational launch of Jetstar Hong Kong.
