Qantas Airways

Destinations with high vaccination rates are an initial focus, while Australia’s flag-carrier is evaluating whether to operate scheduled service between London Heathrow and Darwin.

The latest surge of COVID-19 cases in Australia has dealt a crucial blow to local airlines that were beginning to recover some momentum based on their domestic strength.

Qantas plans to stand down 2,500 of its employees for at least two months.

CEO Alan Joyce has laid out two recovery scenarios depending on how long the lockdowns continue.

Longer-range aircraft like the A321XLR will open up many city pairs and secondary points from Australia in the near future.

The oneworld alliance member is returning to a market it last served nonstop seven years ago.

The move comes as international flying remains significantly curtailed.

Qantas is expanding its agreement with Australia’s Alliance Airlines to increase the amount of regional jet capacity provided by Alliance.

As well as further growing its domestic network with seven new routes, the oneworld alliance member is adding more Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 flights within Australia.

Domestic capacity will reach 95% of pre-pandemic levels in the current quarter, the airline said.

Qantas predicts its domestic capacity will exceed pre-pandemic levels for the fiscal year beginning July 1, and the growth it has been seeing in this sector is driving improvements in some financial measures.

Competition between the Australian cities of Melbourne and Canberra is set to increase.

The decision comes after the Australian government released a revised forecast for the recovery of international travel that presented a gloomier outlook than previously projected.

Regional carrier Rex accuses Qantas of 'capacity dumping,' urges regulatory intervention.

Australian regulators have issued a draft rejection of an application by Qantas and Japan Airlines to cooperate more closely, although Qantas says it will argue to have the decision reversed in the final ruling.

Qantas and Virgin Australia are continuing to ramp up their domestic services to nearly pre-pandemic levels, with both airlines bringing in more aircraft to boost their domestic fleets.

Qantas is starting to move from survival mode toward financial recovery, thanks mainly to strengthening domestic demand.

Alan Joyce hopes to progress Qantas’ ultra-long-haul plans over the next 12 months—and he believes the airline’s Airbus A380 fleet will fly again.

Alliance also cleared to start working with Virgin Australia.

Some airlines in the countries are now ramping up Trans-Tasman capacity

Five domestic routes, which are at the center of a dispute with Qantas, will now continue.

Australia’s competition watchdog has dismissed claims by Regional Express (Rex) that Qantas’ entry into thin regional domestic routes is anti-competitive.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has given its verdict on the ongoing spat between Rex and Qantas.

Six Jetstar Japan aircraft are being transferred to the Australian unit to boost domestic capacity amid rising competition from Rex.

The route is one of three new leisure services targeting skiers and snowboarders.