SYDNEY- Qantas (QF) is implementing several adjustments to its Asia network, including schedule modifications and the introduction of a new route.
- The Sydney-Shanghai service will be suspended starting from 28 July 2024.
- A new route from Brisbane to Manila will commence operations on 28 October 2024.
- There will be extra flights to Singapore and India.
Qantas Suspends Sydney-Shanghai Flight
Starting 28 July 2024, Qantas will suspend flights to Shanghai (PVG) due to insufficient demand.
Qantas had resumed its Sydney (SYD)-Shanghai service last October after a pause during the COVID pandemic. However, the expected recovery in demand has not materialized.
Qantas will closely monitor the Australia-China market and consider resuming flights to Shanghai once demand rebounds.
Passengers can still reach Shanghai and other destinations in China by flying with Qantas to Hong Kong (HKG) and connecting with partner airlines. Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem Qantas Points on partner airline flights.
Customers with bookings on Shanghai flights from 28 July will be contacted and given the option of a full refund or rebooking on alternative flights through Qantas or their travel agent.
Aircraft originally allocated for this route will be redeployed to enhance services to other destinations across Asia where demand is growing or new tourism opportunities arise.
Qantas New Manila-Brisbane Route
As Qantas announces flights to Manila (MNL), passengers will soon have a new international route option departing from Brisbane.*
Starting on 28 October 2024, the route will operate four days a week using Airbus A330 aircraft, marking the airline’s return to this route after over a decade.
These flights complement Qantas’ current daily service from Sydney and will contribute over 100,000 additional seats annually between Australia and the Philippines.
*Subject to government and regulatory approval.
More Flights to Singapore and India
Qantas is expanding its flight operations to Singapore and India, offering more options for travelers:
- Increased Services to Singapore: Qantas will boost its flights to Singapore by approximately 10%, providing over 2,500 additional seats weekly between Australia and Singapore. Starting from 11 December 2024, the Sydney-Singapore route will see an increase from 14 to 17 return flights per week. Additionally, from 27 October 2024, Brisbane-Singapore flights will rise from seven to nine return flights per week. This adjustment aims to enhance connectivity, particularly with Qantas’ daily service from Singapore to London, resulting in a reduction of around four hours in overall travel time to Heathrow.
- Expanded Services to India: Qantas will also ramp up its flights from Sydney to Bengaluru (BLR), increasing from five flights per week to daily flights to meet robust demand during the peak holiday season. These additional flights will operate from mid-December 2024 to late March 2025, offering over 12,000 extra seats between the two cities over the four months.
Tickets for the added flights are now available for purchase on qantas.com and through authorized travel agents. The new Brisbane-Manila flights will also be open for booking in the coming days.
CEO Remarks
Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International, regarding recent route changes:
“We continuously evaluate our aircraft deployment, route selections, and seasonal adjustments to ensure we align with our customer’s preferences.”
“Following the impact of COVID-19, the demand for travel between Australia and China has not rebounded as robustly as anticipated. Our flights to and from Shanghai have been operating at approximately half capacity in certain months.
“As a result, we’ve decided to suspend this route and redirect resources to serve other popular destinations. This includes launching a new route from Brisbane to Manila and increasing flight frequencies to Singapore and Bengaluru. These enhancements offer our corporate and leisure travelers more options and improve access to key destinations in Asia.”
“While we pause our operations to Shanghai, we will maintain our presence in China through partnerships and existing flights to Hong Kong. We remain committed to the Chinese market and intend to resume services to Shanghai at a future date.”
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Also Read: US Airlines, Including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, want you to Dress Properly – Aviation A2Z
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.
The post Qantas New Manila-Brisbane Route, Suspends Sydney-Shanghai, More Singapore and India Flights appeared first on Aviation A2Z.