Qantas Is Cutting Seats Across Its Network Due To Coronavirus
Qantas today has made a statement regarding its scheduled flights over the next few weeks in response to coronavirus. The statement encompasses changed flight routes, grounding of its largest aircraft and the waiving of change fees for some affected customers.
The airline will cut its international passenger capacity across the Qantas and Jetstar networks by 23 percent compared to the same time last year, reflecting the reduced demand for international travel at this time. The biggest reductions are targeted at travel to Asia, but are also reflected in routes to the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand. The changes are expected to remain in place until at least mid-September.
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Qantas will contact affected customers directly about these changes over the next week. If you have upcoming travel with Qantas booked through a travel agent, the agent will contact you directly.
Those customers flying internationally will usually be offered an alternative route via another capital city, or on an alternative day. Domestic flights are not expected to be disrupted as demand continues to be high.
The airline will also redirect important flights to avoid potential coronavirus hotspots, such as the renowned “Kangaroo Route” on flights QF1 and QF2 to London via Singapore – these flights will temporarily go via Perth starting April 20.
With lower numbers of passengers travelling, many of the airline’s largest aircraft, including eight of its 10 A380s, will be grounded and replaced with smaller aircraft in an effort to reduce costs, rather than cut routes altogether.
Airlines across the world have made similar moves, in an attempt to cut costs at a time of lower demand and avoid other problems associated with coronavirus.
Find out more on the Qantas website.
(Lead image: Qantas)
