Qantas Increases Europe Services Amid Rising Travel Demand
Qantas is boosting flights to Rome and Paris by redeploying aircraft from US routes. The expansion meets rising demand as travelers avoid Middle East airspace.
Qantas Airways is increasing its flight frequency to Europe as demand surges amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The flag carrier of Australia is adjusting its global network to accommodate travelers seeking to bypass traditional flight paths.
The airline is redeploying several aircraft from The Boeing Company originally assigned to United States routes. Additionally, some Airbus A330 aircraft are being shifted from domestic service in Australia to bolster international capacity. This move aligns Qantas with other major carriers, such as CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS based in Hong Kong, which have also been upgrading European services.
The shift follows a significant spike in airfare prices between Asia and Europe earlier this month. This price increase was triggered by the closure of major Gulf aviation hubs following the conflict involving Israel and Iran, forcing passengers to seek alternative routes that avoid Middle Eastern airspace.
Specific route adjustments include:
- The Perth to Rome service will transition from four return flights per week to a daily operation.
- Flights to Paris will increase from three to five return journeys per week. This service will now originate in Sydney and travel via Singapore instead of Perth, a change that allows for an additional 60 passengers per flight.
- The frequency of flights between Perth and Singapore will also rise from daily to 10 per week.
Qantas has stated that customers affected by these schedule changes are being contacted and provided with alternative flight options within 24 hours of their original departure times or offered full refunds. Regarding the ongoing regional instability, the airline provided the following statement:
The group continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and its impact on fuel security, the price of fuel, and demand for travel, and will make further adjustments as required.
