Sydney, July 11, 2007 (ABN Newswire) - Qantas Airways is planning a significant restructure. It involves creating a separate company to own its own fleet of more than 200 planes, including a $23 billion order for up to 115 Boeing 787s. The Financial Review is reporting that Qantas executives will also present a plan to the airline's directors to spin off its freight unit and frequent flyer loyalty scheme. Back in May the carrier said it might spin off some freight operations, or return billions of dollars to shareholders following the unsuccessful takeover bid. Qantas Airways experienced its earnings highlight in 2005.

United Group has acquired U.S. based services company UNICCO. The deal is worth $477 million and is expected to add 5 per cent to United's earnings per share in the first year. United says it plans to partly fund the purchase with an institutional share placement of $231 million. Shares in United Group were placed on a trading halt this morning pending an announcement to the market. United Group's earnings have been increasing over the last 4 financial years.

Telstra's battle with the competition watchdog continues. In this round, Telstra has demanded the ACCC loosen rules surrounding wholesale prices in metropolitan and major regional areas. The competition regulator now has six months to respond to Telstra's case that rivals using its infrastructure provide enough competition to regulate prices effectively. The ACCC was actually due to review its position on the matter in December 2009. Telstra experienced its earnings highlight in 2005

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Video Link

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Audio Link

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>>> QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED
>>> TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED.
>>> UNITED GROUP LIMITED.