This update is based on airline information supplied on 10 March 2020.

The Qantas Group has announced further cuts to its international flying schedule, reducing capacity by almost a quarter for the next six months.

“We will be reducing some services and using smaller aircraft, which means we can maintain overall connectivity, and ensure our customers are still able to reach their destinations. The changes will be extended from end-May until mid-September 2020.”

Qantas spokesperson

The latest cuts follow the spread of the Coronavirus into Europe and North America over the past fortnight, as well as its continued spread through Asia, which has resulted in a significant drop in forward travel demand.

Qantas has advised that capacity reductions to the United States (down 19%), the UK (down 17%) and Trans-Tasman (down 10%) will also be made in line with forward booking trends.

More Perth-London services

Strong customer demand Qantas’ direct Perth-London service has led the airline to temporarily re-route the existing Sydney-Singapore-London return service (QF1 and QF2) to become a Sydney-Perth-London return service.

This will take effect from 20 April 2020.

Change fee waivers for new international bookings

Given the changing landscape, Qantas is offering customers some flexibility to encourage booking confidence.

A one-time fee-free change to new international flight bookings made between 10 – 31 March 2020, for travel before 30 June 2020, subject to availability.

Some conditions apply. Please contact us for details.

“We expect lower demand to continue for the next several months, so rather than taking a piecemeal approach we’re cutting capacity out to mid-September. This improves our ability to reduce costs as well as giving more certainty to the market, customers and our people,” said Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, announcing the changes.

Qantas stressed that it retains the flexibility to cut further or to reinstate capacity as this situation develops.

“If you have existing bookings held and confirmed by The Travel Authority Group, we will be in touch to discuss your options.”

The Travel Authority Group’s Managing Director, Peter Hosper

In most cases, international passengers will be offered an alternative flight via another capital city or a partner airline, or an alternative day. Disruption to domestic passengers is expected to be minimal given the continued high frequency on most routes.

We continue to monitor all official sources of coronavirus-related information, and maintain contact with all of our airline partners to ensure we’re across all developments.

For more information, leave a note in the form below, or CALL US to discuss your specific requirements.