Qantas profit doubling and strategic developments overshadowed by change resistance

Qantas has doubled its annual underlying pre-tax profit to AUD552 million on the back of the strongest performance in three years of its flying divisions. In the face of increased competition, the carrier has maintained a positive outlook - with further details emerging of its future strategy. But publicly the carrier's position is shaky as it responds to claims of a takeover bid and faces heavy resistance from unions unwilling to accept that Qantas' storied international operations must change, as outlined last week, if jobs are on the line.