Australian flag carrier Qantas is understood to be planning a sensational change to its livery, with its iconic Kangaroo tail-fin logo being replaced by an image of a Wombat!
The eye-opening move will apparently only be on the airline’s domestic Australian routes, with the famed Kangaroo logo set to remain on international and long-haul routes.
It is believed the move is being made to appease animal welfare groups, who have complained that the Kangaroo is getting far more attention than other iconic Australian animals.
One local corporate image and marketing boffin remarked: “Changing company names and livery can be dicey, at the best of times. It’s a risk; it can be a huge success or a disastrous fail. A huge company like Qantas simply can’t risk changing its logo for international flights as it’s questionable many people outside of Australia might recognise a Wombat. If you’re Australian, it’s a Wombat, no question; but if you’re from overseas…what is it? A beaver, a bear? Pick a Wallaby and it looks like a small Kangaroo…you might as well stick with the ‘Roo. And, although Koalas are cute, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. They can be nasty fellas!”
Regarding the timing and planning process, another – entirely different – local source said: “The only thing that has delayed this plan is that management has found it difficult to choose which animal image to change to. Some board members opted for a Bin Chicken, with the Brush Turkey also proving a popular choice, even outvoting cliched favourites like the Koala and the Wallaby and the Flamin’ Galah. Ultimately, the Wombat won out!”
