In a recent update to its flight operations, Qantas announced several strategic changes to its Asia network, including the suspension of its Sydney-Shanghai flights due to lower than anticipated demand and the introduction of a new route from Brisbane to Manila.
Sydney-Shanghai Route Suspension
Starting 28 July 2024, Qantas will suspend flights to Shanghai, a decision driven by ongoing low demand. The airline had resumed the Sydney-Shanghai service in October of the previous year following a suspension during the COVID pandemic. Despite the resumption, «the demand for travel between Australia and China has not recovered as strongly as expected,» according to Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace. He noted that in some months, flights to and from Shanghai have been «operating around half full.»
Qantas has expressed its commitment to closely monitor the market dynamics between Australia and China and plans to resume the Shanghai service once demand rebounds. In the meantime, customers wishing to travel to Shanghai can still reach their destination via Qantas flights to Hong Kong, with onward connections through partner airlines.
Passengers affected by the suspension are being contacted with offers for full refunds, or they can discuss rebooking options on alternative flights with Qantas or their travel agents.
New Brisbane-Manila Route
Qantas is set to launch a new route from Brisbane to Manila starting 28 October 2024. This route will operate four days a week using Airbus A330 aircraft, marking the airline’s return to the Philippine capital after more than a decade. This addition is expected to provide over 100,000 extra seats annually between Australia and the Philippines.
Increased Flights to Singapore and India
Qantas also announced an increase in its flight frequency to Singapore and India. Flights to Singapore will see a 10% increase, offering over 2,500 additional seats weekly. Specifically, flights from Sydney to Singapore will rise to 17 return trips per week starting 11 December 2024, and from Brisbane to Singapore, the frequency will increase to nine return flights per week from 27 October 2024. These adjustments are designed to enhance connectivity with Qantas’ daily service from Singapore to London, potentially reducing overall travel time to Heathrow by about four hours.
Additionally, the Sydney to Bengaluru route will transition from five flights per week to daily services during the peak holiday season, adding over 12,000 seats between the two cities over four months from mid-December 2024 to late March 2025.
Cam Wallace emphasized the strategic nature of these adjustments: «We’re always looking to ensure that we have the right aircraft, on the right routes and at the right time of year to best meet the needs of our customers.» He also highlighted the new opportunities these changes bring, stating that they «will create more choice for our corporate and leisure customers and make it even easier for them to access the places they need to travel to in Asia.»
Qantas continues to maintain a presence in China through its partners and existing flights to Hong Kong, with plans to return to Shanghai when feasible.
