In a significant reshuffle of its Asia network, Qantas has announced a series of updates, including suspending its Sydney-Shanghai flights and launching a new route from Brisbane to Manila.
Sydney-Shanghai Service Suspended Amid Low Demand Starting 28 July 2024, Qantas will suspend flights to Shanghai due to low demand. The airline resumed the Sydney-Shanghai service in October last year following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the anticipated recovery in demand has not materialized. Qantas has committed to closely monitoring the market and plans to resume the service once demand rebounds.
For customers affected by the suspension, Qantas offers a full refund or rebooking options on alternative flights. The airline assures continued connectivity to Shanghai and other Chinese destinations via its Hong Kong flights, with connections on partner airlines.
Redirecting Resources to Meet Rising Demand in Asia The aircraft previously servicing the Shanghai route will now be deployed to enhance Qantas’ presence in other Asian destinations experiencing increased demand or presenting new tourism opportunities.
New Direct Flights from Brisbane to Manila From 28 October 2024, Qantas will operate a new international route from Brisbane to Manila four times a week using Airbus A330 aircraft. This marks the airline’s return to the route after more than a decade, adding over 100,000 seats annually between Australia and the Philippines.
Increased Flights to Singapore and India Qantas is set to boost its services to Singapore by approximately 10%, adding over 2,500 seats weekly. The Sydney-Singapore flights will increase from 14 to 17 return trips per week starting 11 December 2024, while the Brisbane-Singapore service will increase from seven to nine return flights per week from 27 October 2024. These changes aim to improve connectivity with Qantas’ daily Singapore-London service and reduce travel time to Heathrow.
Additionally, the Sydney-Bengaluru route will expand from five weekly flights to daily during the peak holiday season from mid-December 2024 to late March 2025, providing over 12,000 additional seats over four months.
Qantas International CEO Comments Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International, emphasized the airline’s commitment to aligning its services with customer needs. “Post-COVID, the travel landscape has shifted, and we are adapting our network accordingly,” said Wallace. “While we scale back on routes with lower demand, such as Shanghai, we’re excited to offer new options like the Brisbane-Manila route and increased flights to Singapore and Bengaluru, enhancing our customers’ travel choices and convenience.”
Tickets for the new and additional flights are available on the Qantas website and through travel agents. Bookings for the Brisbane-Manila flights are expected to open soon.
*All new services and increases are subject to government and regulatory approval.
This media story has been crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of Qantas’ network updates and the strategic decisions behind them. It highlights the airline’s responsiveness to market demands and its commitment to offering enhanced travel options to its customers.
