Qantas Airways announced (19-May-2023) plans to increase its international network with extra flights, additional aircraft and new routes as it restores capacity in line with strong travel demand. Details include:
- From late Oct-2023, Qantas will add around one million seats to its international network over 12 months compared to its current schedule;
- The additional capacity will come through a combination of more Qantas aircraft returning to service, new aircraft joining its fleet and an arrangement with Finnair to operate two A330 aircraft;
- The network changes will see the group's international capacity grow to around 100% of pre-COVID levels by Mar-2024, up from 44% 12 months ago and 84% today;
- Most of the flying will be powered by 2400 pilots and cabin crew Qantas has recruited into the group since borders reopened, a further 300 people will be needed by the end of 2023;
- Over the past six months, Qantas has brought five international aircraft back into its fleet, some from long term storage and some that were on standby as operational spares while the industry stabilised. A new Boeing 787 arrived in May-2023 and a further two will be delivered in Jun-2023. The latest Qantas A380 stored in the desert was reactivated in Jan-2023 and an additional A380 will return to service at the end of 2023 following maintenance and modifications to the cabin;
Qantas will increase capacity on the following routes from 29-Oct-2023:
- Melbourne-Los Angeles: From daily to nine times weekly, increasing capacity by around 60% with more A380 flying;
- Sydney-Auckland-New York: From three to four times weekly;
- Sydney-Tokyo Haneda: From daily to twice daily;
- Melbourne-Tokyo: From four times weekly to daily. Service will move to Tokyo Narita Airport;
- Brisbane-Tokyo: From three times weekly to daily. Service will move to Tokyo Narita Airport;
- Sydney-Shanghai: Service will resume daily with A330;
- Sydney-Hong Kong: Capacity increased by over 50% with daily flights to be operated with A380 and A330 aircraft;
- Melbourne-Hong Kong: From four times weekly to daily;
- Melbourne-Singapore: From 10 to 14 times weekly from 31-Mar-2024;
- Sydney-Singapore: From 14 to 15 times weekly from 31-Mar-2024;
- Melbourne-Delhi: From three to six times weekly;
- Brisbane-Wellington: Daily with Embraer E190;
- Brisbane-Honiara: Three times weekly with Embraer E190;
- Sydney-Christchurch: From 11 to 14 times weekly;
- Sydney-Queenstown: From 13 to 14 times weekly. [more - original PR]