Airlines
Qantas boosts International network: Restoring capacity,adding more aircraft, launching new routes
In order to meet the high demand for travel and the overall revival of the aviation industry, Qantas will expand its worldwide network with more flights, aircraft, and new routes.
Customers will have more options for popular destinations around Asia, the United States, and the Pacific with the national carrier’s addition of over one million seats to its international network over the course of a 12-month period beginning in late October 2023*.
Qantas Takes off again between Brisbane and Tokyo(Opens in a new browser tab)
By March 2024, the Group’s worldwide capacity—which is currently 84%—will have increased due to network modifications to about 100% of its pre-COVID levels. The 2,400 pilots and cabin crew that Qantas has hired into the Group since borders reopened will power the majority of the flying indicated today; 300 more employees will be required by the end of the year.
| United States | ||
| Melbourne – Los Angeles | Flights to increase from daily to nine per week, increasing capacity by around 60 per cent with more A380 flying. | |
| Sydney – New York via Auckland | Flights to increase from three to four per week. | |
| Asia | ||
| Australia to Tokyo | Flights to double, increasing from 14 to 28 per week, offering the choice of four daily flights to Japan from 26 November.· Sydney –Tokyo to increase from daily to double daily.· Melbourne – Tokyo to increase from four per week to daily.· Brisbane – Tokyo to increase from three per week to daily.Services from Melbourne and Brisbane will move to Narita Airport. | |
| Sydney – Shanghai | Flights to commence for the first time in more than three years with daily A330 flights. | |
| Sydney – Hong Kong | Capacity boosted by more than 50 per cent over the peak Australian summer season, with daily flights to be operated by a mix of A380 and A330 aircraft. | |
| Melbourne – Hong Kong | Flights to increase from four per week to daily. | |
| Melbourne – Singapore | Flights to increase from 10 to 14 per week from 31 March 2024. | |
| Sydney – Singapore | Flights to increase from 14 to 15 per week from 31 March 2024. | |
| Melbourne – Delhi | Flights to increase from three to six per week over the peak Australian summer season. | |
| Pacific and Tasman | ||
| Brisbane – Wellington | New route to operate daily with E190 aircraft. | |
| Brisbane – Honiara, Solomon Islands | New route to operate three days per week with E190 aircraft. | |
| Sydney – Christchurch | Flights to increase from 11 to 14 per week. | |
| Sydney – Queenstown | Flights to increase by up to one per week, with up to 14 flights over the peak Australian summer season. | |
Several Qantas flights between Sydney and Singapore will be operated by Finnair A330 aircraft starting in late October, and all flights between Sydney and Bangkok will be operated by Finnair A330 starting in late March 2024. This will free up Qantas aircraft and crew to expand flying elsewhere.
Qantas resumes flights between Melbourne and Tokyo(Opens in a new browser tab)
For the first two and a half years of this partnership, flights will be piloted and crewed by Finnair employees, but passengers will still have access to Qantas’ facilities, in-flight entertainment, and baggage allowance. Beginning in late 2025, two Finnair A330s will be dry leased and operated for up to three years by Qantas pilots and cabin crew, resulting in new employment possibilities and more opportunities for growth within Qantas.
Airlines
Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery
In an innovative move towards sustainability, renowned Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has recently floated an unconventional idea to its business class customers.
Bringing their own cutlery sets onboard. This initiative, revealed through a member survey circulated within the airline’s “Cathay Lab” community – a platform comprising frequent business class travelers – has stirred a wave of curiosity within the aviation industry.
With sustainability becoming an increasing concern in aviation, Cathay Pacific’s survey aimed to gauge passengers‘ willingness to partake in various eco-friendly practices during their journeys.
Among the initiatives presented, including refilling reusable water bottles and recycling plastic, the prospect of bringing personal cutlery garnered significant attention. Some members expressed practical concerns, questioning the feasibility of carrying cutlery through airport security and the potential inconvenience for passengers unaware of regulations.
Others suggested that Cathay Pacific should simply provide reusable cutlery onboard instead. Furthermore, there were suspicions among some respondents that the BYO cutlery proposal might be a precursor to introducing additional charges, with one user humorously envisioning a scenario where the airline lends cutlery sets for a fee.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the proposal, Cathay Pacific’s exploration of innovative sustainability measures reflects a broader industry trend towards environmental consciousness.
Airlines
Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft
In a bold move that underscores their confidence in India’s burgeoning aviation sector, Air India and IndiGo have revealed ambitious plans to acquire a combined total of up to 170 wide-body aircraft.
This strategic investment marks a significant shift in the country’s aviation landscape, as it brings European aircraft manufacturer Airbus into a domain traditionally dominated by American giant Boeing.
With India positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for such expansion endeavors. The aim is clear: to elevate India’s status as a global aviation hub by enhancing connectivity through direct flights between Indian cities and international destinations.
Currently, a substantial portion of India’s international air traffic relies on overseas hubs, particularly in the Gulf region. IndiGo’s announcement of firm orders for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with an option for an additional 70, signals its commitment to capturing a larger share of the long-haul market.
Meanwhile, Air India’s comprehensive order, unveiled last year, encompasses 70 wide-body planes, including a mix of A350 and Boeing 787 models.
Recognizing the potential for disruption in the long and ultra-long haul segments, aviation consultancy CAPA India has emphasized the pivotal role Indian carriers can play in driving innovation and transformation.
With the current combined fleet size of Indian airlines exceeding 700 aircraft, the stage is set for Air India and IndiGo to spearhead a new era of growth and connectivity in the Indian aviation sector.
Airlines
Air China Makes Landmark Deal: Orders 100 C919 Jets from COMAC
In a strategic move that could reshape China’s aviation industry, Air China has inked a monumental deal with Comac, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s commercial aircraft procurement landscape.
The agreement, valued at a staggering $10.8 billion based on list prices, entails the purchase of 100 Comac C919 jets, a resounding endorsement of the homegrown challenger to aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing.
The announcement, disclosed in a filing by Air China, underscores the airline’s commitment to bolstering its fleet with domestically manufactured aircraft. These C919 jets, slated for delivery between 2024 and 2031, are poised to amplify Air China’s operational capabilities and enhance its competitive stance in the global aviation arena.
The C919, a formidable competitor to Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo, symbolizes China’s ambitious foray into the global aviation market. With Air China’s commitment to acquiring a substantial fleet of C919s, the aircraft is poised to carve out a formidable niche in the industry, challenging the dominance of established players.
Notably, Air China‘s existing fleet comprises an extensive array of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, showcasing its diverse operational portfolio.
With nearly 500 airplanes in service, including models from the A320 family and the 737 series, Air China’s decision to incorporate the C919 into its fleet underscores a strategic diversification strategy.
While Airbus has enjoyed notable success in China, buoyed by its local assembly line, Boeing has faced formidable challenges in recent years. However, Air China’s resolute investment in the C919 signals a paradigm shift, amplifying China’s quest for self-sufficiency in aviation.
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