Qantas reduces international services from Perth

4 February 2013 © David Eyre

Qantas has today announced the first phase of changes to its international network, following approval of the the partnering arrangement with Emirates, including a reduction in Qantas international services from Perth.

• Perth-Hong Kong (QF67/68) service will be cancelled from 31 March 2013
• Perth-Singapore service (currently twice daily) will be reduced to one flight per day (QF77/78) from 15 April 2013. That flight will be retimed for better connection to onwards flights in Asia while also making a same-day return into Perth. QF77 will leave Perth at 09:50 (instead of  11:55) for arrival into Singapore at 15:20, and then return to Perth as QF78 for a 23:30 arrival.

Qantas has planned their international changes to be rolled out in four phases:

1. Stronger links to the key hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong (better frequency and timings as well as increased dedicated capacity)
2. Enhanced customer experience (improvements to cabin, in-flight entertainment, lounges)
3. Expanded network within Asia through local partners (such as Japan Airlines, China Eastern, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines)
4. Investigating an increase in destinations to Asia using the Qantas Group’s B787-9 options from 2016, coinciding with the turnaround of Qantas International (direct destinations under consideration include Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo-Haneda).

Qantas is also considering adding  lie-flat beds in Business Class on its international A330 fleet.