Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: Impacts on foreign airlines operating to Western Australia

14 January 2022 © David Eyre

NOTE: If you note any errors or missing information, please let us know using the comments.

Travel restrictions/bans imposed

On 1 February 2020, Australia imposed a travel ban on anyone arriving from, or transiting through, mainland China, unless they had been out of the country for 14 days.

On 17 March 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison increased Australia’s travel ban to Level 4, telling Australians not to leave the country, and advising Australians wishing to return home to do so as soon as possible, as many countries around the world introduced border closures and/or travel restrictions, including Australia.

From 20 March 2020, all non-residents and citizens were banned from entering Australia.

Foreign airlines operating to Western Australia

This article includes a summary of when scheduled services by foreign airlines ceased as a result of COVID-19. However, there have been some adhoc, freight or repatriation services since then, and some limited services have resumed.

AirAsia X

Daily services between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, using Airbus A330-300s – flight D7236 / D7237.

• D7236/D7237 Kuala Lumpur daily: Final service 20 March 2020 by 9M-XXB.
• D7236/D7237 Kuala Lumpur – freight-only services operated: 7, 8, 12 January 2021 by 9M-XXZ.

AirAsia Indonesia

Operated three daily return services between Perth and Denpasar (Bali), and a service to Lombok four times per week, all using Airbus A320s.

• QZ470/QZ471 Lombok 4 per week: Final service 18 March 2020 PK-AZE
• QZ534/QZ535 Denpasar daily: Final service 20 March 2020 PK-AXY
• QZ544/QZ545 Denpasar daily: Final service 20 March 2020 PK-AXX
• QZ536/QZ537 Denpasar daily: Final service 20 March 2020 PK-AXY

Air Mauritius

Operated twice per week between Perth and Mauritius, using Airbus A330-200s (and occasionally A330-900neo).

• MK440/MK441 2 per week: Final service 22 March 2020 3B-NBM A330-200

Operated two repatriation flights:

• 6 June 2020: 3B-NBL Airbus A330-200
• 28 August 2020: 3B-NBQ Airbus A350-900 (1st visit by an Air Mauritius A350)

Air New Zealand

Operated daily between Auckland and Perth using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-200ER (due to engine maintenance for the 787s).

• NZ175/NZ176 daily: Final service 28 March 2020: ZK-OKE B777-200ER. Limited services operated from April and May 2021.

Freight services between Perth and Auckland commenced:

• 6 – 7 January 2021: ZK-NZE Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – NZ1175 arrived on 6 January 2021, departed as NZ1176 on 7 January 2021. These continued throughout 2021.
• April 2021: Four flights returned to Auckland as NZ1158 (freight only).
• December 2021 – January 2022: Some flights operated as NZ880/NZ881.

ANA (All Nippon Airways)

Operated daily services between Tokyo-Narita and Perth using Boeing 787-8/787-9 Dreamliner.

• NH881/NH882 daily: Final service 30 March 2020: JA873A (Star Wars R2D2 livery) Boeing 787-9

Operated freight-only flights twice per week from 4 January to 28 February 2021, arriving Mondays, departing Tuesdays and arriving Wednesdays, departing Thursdays. No further services since then.

• 4 – 5 Jan 2021: JA888A Boeing 787-9
• 6 – 7 Jan 2021: JA883A Boeing 787-9

Batik Air Indonesia

Operated daily services from Denpasar, using Boeing 737-900ER aircraft.

• ID6007/ID6008 daily: Final service 14 Mar 2020: PK-LBO B737-900ER.

Cathay Pacific

Operated daily services from Hong Kong, using Airbus A350-1000 (and occasional A350-900) aircraft.

• March 2020: CX171/CX170 reduced to 12 return services in March 2020 – final normal service was 28 March 2020 by B-LXG.
• April 2020: No flights to Perth.
• May 2020: Services resumed as freight only – 5 flights during 12 May 2020 (starting with A350-900 B-LRA, then freight only A350-1000). Frequency increased to almost 6/week in September and December 2020.
• September 2020: Passenger services resumed with 5 flights operated.
• February 2021: Passenger services reduced, due to Hong Kong Government crew quarantine restrictions. Freight services continued.

Citilink

Operated daily services from Denpasar, using Airbus A320neo aircraft.

• QG542/QG543 daily – reduced to 12 return services in March 2020.
• Apr 2020: 3 services.
• May 2020: 5 services. Final service 31 May 2020 by PK-GTF A320neo.

China Eastern

China Eastern commenced a five-week trial of services between Shanghai-Pudong and Perth, operating three times per week from 15 January to 17 February 2020 using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. If successful, this trial was intended to lead to ongoing services.

However, due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak beginning in China, from 1 February 2020, Australia imposed a travel ban on anyone arriving from, or transiting through, mainland China, unless they had been out of the country for 14 days.

• MU265/266, three times per week (MON/WED/FRI) trial service was supposed to end on 17 February 2020. Final service on 7 Feb 2020, operated by B-5942 Airbus A330-200.

Additional freight-only flights were operated to bring in urgent medical supplies from China:

• 1 April 2020: MU7083/MU7084 operated by B-5921 Airbus A330-200.
• 5 April 2020: MU7083/MU7084 operated by B-5973 Airbus A330-200.
• 10 April 2020: MU7083/MU7084 operated by B-5921 Airbus A330-200.
• 14 April 2020: MU7083/MU7084 operated by B-5973 Airbus A330-200.
• 17 April 2020: MU7083/MU7084 operated by B-5973 Airbus A330-200.
• 21 April 2020: MU7083/MU7084 operated by B-5921 Airbus A330-200.
• 7 July 2020: MU7087/MU7088 operated by B-5926 Airbus A330-300. (Final visit by China Eastern)

China Southern

Operated five times per week from Guangzhou, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft

• CZ319/320 5/week: Final service on 9 February 2020 by B-6531 Airbus A330-200

Additional freight-only flights were operated:

• 2 – 3 May 2020: CZ319/CZ320 B-5951 Airbus A330-300.
• 23 – 24 May 2020: CZ319/CZ320 B-8426 Airbus A330-300. Possibly final China Southern visit.
• 8 – 9 June 2020 (cancelled?): CZ8107/CZ8108 B-…. Airbus A330-300.
• 15 – 16 June 2020 (cancelled?): CZ8107/CZ8108 B-…. Airbus A330-300.

Emirates

Operated daily services from Dubai using Airbus A380 aircraft. All passenger services ceased from 25 March 2020.

• EK420/EK421 daily – 24 March 2020: Final Emirates A380 service, by A6-EOC.
• April 2020 & May 2020: No passenger services.
• 17 June 2020 onwards: Resumed EK420/EK421 passenger services, once per week with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, arriving on Tuesday evenings and departing Wednesday nights. 17-18 June 2020 service operated by A6-EQG.
• 1 August 2020 onwards: EK420/421 increased to two or three per week, using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Emirates also operated freight-only services, using Boeing 777-300ER – here are some of the first few months’ services:

• 13-14 May 2020 EK420/EK421: A6-ECS.
• 20-21 May 2020 EK2668 from Dubai/EK2668 to Singapore: A6-EBQ.
• 20-21 May 2020 EK420/EK421: A6-ENV.
• 27-29 May 2020 EK2670 from Dubai/EK349 to Singapore: A6-ECE.
• 27-28 May 2020 EK420/EK421: A6-EBU.
• 3-4 June 2020 EK2670/EK2671 from/to Dubai: A6-ECX.
• 3-4 June 2020 EK420/EK421: A6-ECG.
• 10-11 June 2020 EK2670 from Dubai/EK349 to Singapore: A6-EGB.
• 10-11 June 2020 EK420/EK421: A6-ECG.
• 17-18 June 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-ECO.
• 19-23 June 2020 EK420 from Dubai/EK371 to Bangkok: A6-ECC.
• 24-25 June 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-EBU.
• 26-27 June 2020 EK2670 from Dubai/EK2523 to Singapore: A6-ECR.
• 1-2 July 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-ECT.
• 8-9 July 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-ECL.
• 8-10 July 2020 EK2668/EK2669 from/to Dubai: A6-EGB.
• 15-16 July 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-ECO.
• 16-17 July 2020 EK2668/EK2669 from/to Dubai: A6-ECG.
• 22-23 July 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-ECQ
• 23-24 July 2020 EK2668/EK2669 from/to Dubai: A6-EGE.
• 29-30 July 2020 EK354 from Dubai/EK355 to Singapore: A6-ECO.
• 5-6 August 2020 EK2668 from Dubai/EK9309 to Singapore: A6-EGC.
• 12-13 August 2020 EK2668 from Dubai/EK9309 to Singapore: A6-ECJ.
• 19-20 August 2020 EK2668 from Dubai/EK9309 to Singapore: A6-EGB.
• 26-27 August 2020 EK2668 from Dubai/EK9309 to Singapore: A6-ECH.
• 2-3 September 2020 EK2668 from Dubai/EK9309 to Singapore: A6-ECK.
• 5-6 September 2020 EK2510 from Sydney/EK2510 to Bangkok: A6-EGE.

Emirates announced that up to 9,000 jobs would be cut from its total of 60,000 workers.

Garuda Indonesia

Operated daily services from Denpasar and five times per week from Jakarta, all using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

• GA728/GA729 Denpasar daily service: Cancelled from 27 Mar 2020. Five flights operated in April and two in May 2020. Final service was operated 28 May 2020 by PK-GNA.
• GA724/GA725 Jakarta service – 5 per week: Cancelled from 20 March 2020. No services in April or May 2020. Services operated approximately once per week from June 2020 to May 2021, then dropped to two services for the month June 2021 and the final service was 1 July 2021, operated by PK-GNH.

Repatriation flights:

• 22 July 2020: GA7260 from Jakarta, departed as GA7270 to Medan, then Delhi (India), using PK-GHG Airbus A330-941neo (1st visit by Garuda A330neo)
• 28 August 2020: GA7260/GA7270 from/to Jakarta, using B737-800 PK-GNN.
• 15 January 2021: GA7270 from Chennai (India) via Jakarta, departed as GA7254 to Jakarta, using PK-GNU Boeing 737-800.
• 22 January 2021:
  • GA7270 from Chennai via Jakarta, departed as GA7280 to Medan, PK-GNV B737-800.
  • GA7260 from Chennai via Jakarta, departed as GA7274 to Jakarta, PK-GII Boeing 777-300ER – first visit by Garuda 777-300ER.
• 29 January 2021: GA7270 from Chennai via Jakarta, departed as GA7254 to Jakarta, PK-GNU B737-800.
• 23 February 2021: GA7240 from Delhi via Jakarta, offloaded Perth-bound passengers, then continued to Sydney, PK-GHF Airbus A330-941neo (2nd visit by Garuda A330neo)
• 2 March 2021: GA7240 from Mumbai via Batam, departed to Sydney, PK-GNO B737-800.
• 12 March 2021: GA7240 from Chennai via Jakarta, departed as GA7250 to Jakarta, PK-GNJ B737-800.
• 21 March 2021: GA7240 from Delhi via Medan, departed to Brisbane, PK-GFP B737-800.
• 23 March 2021: GA7240 from Delhi via Medan, departed to Sydney, PK-GNK B737-800.
• 24 March 2021: GA7250 from Sydney, departed to Batam, PK-GNK B737-800.
• 9 April 2021: GA7240 from Bangalore (India) via Medan, departed to Sydney, PK-GNV B737-800.
• 16 Apr 2021: GA7240 from Chennai via Medan, departed to Sydney, PK-GNV B737-800.
• 12 Aug 2021: GA7240/GA725 from/to Jakarta, PK-GNG B737-800.
• 26 Aug 2021: GA7240 from Chennai via Jakarta, departed to Brisbane, PK-GNE B737-800.
• 23 Sep 2021: GA7240/GA7250 from/to Jakarta, PK-GNE B737-800.
• 14 Oct 2021: GA7240/GA7250 from/to Jakarta, PK-GNG B737-800.

Freight only service:

16 February 2021: GA7244/GA7254 from/to Jakarta: PK-GPF A330-300

Malaysia Airlines

Operated services from Kuala Lumpur – a nighttime daily service using Airbus A330 aircraft and a daytime service five times per week with Boeing 737-800. Also operated once per week from Kota Kinabalu using Boeing 737-800.

• MH127/MH126 Kuala Lumpur daily (night) – Final service 20 March 2020 by 9M-MTY. Flights of less than 10 per month thereafter, freight only.
• MH125/MH124 Kuala Lumpur 5/week (daytime) – Final service 19 March 2020 by 9M-MXE. One flight in April 2020, none in May or June 2020. Small number of flights in July to October 2020, with final service on 23 October 2020 by 9M-MXY.
• MH121/MH120 Kota Kinabalu 1/week: Final service 14 March 2020 by 9M-MXS.

Malindo Air / Batik Malaysia

Operated nine services per week from Kuala Lumpur using Boeing 737-800 or 737-900.

• OD155/156 4/week – Final service 17 March 2020 by 9M-LNY Boeing 737-800. One flight each in August, October, November and December 2020.
• OD151/152 5/week – Final service 24 February 2020 by 9M-LND Boeing 737-800. One more service on 14 March 2020 by 9M-LNY.

Philippine Air Lines

Philippine Airlines’ previous services from Manila (PR219/PR220) operated via Darwin using A320ceo aircraft. These started from 3 June 2013, but ceased on 2 September 2013, as they offered only a minor time saving compared to other airlines operating via Jakarta and Singapore to Manila.

The airline had planned to commence direct services from Manila to Perth four times per week (MON/TUE/THU/SAT), using Airbus A321neo aircraft from 30 March 2020, reducing the flight to 7 hours 15 minutes. This service launch has been postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• PR223/PR224 – services were to start from 30 March 2020, postponed to 26 Oct 2020, 29 March 2021, 1 Nov 2021. Services not yet commenced and no further start dates announced.

Qatar Airways

Doha’s Hamad International Airport continued to allow passenger transit, enabling Qatar Airways to be one of the few international airlines to keep flying. 

On 27 March 2020, Qatar Airways announced it would add extra services from Doha to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane from 29 March until mid-April 2020. The extra capacity was to help bring people home, after the Australian government relaxed capacity restrictions. For Perth, Qatar said it would operate twice daily services using Airbus A380 on QR900/QR901 from 27-31 March 2020 and adding a second daily Boeing 777-300ER aircraft as QR990/QR991 from 30 March 2020.

Qatar Airways Cargo also commenced dedicated freighter flights to and from Australia, due to strong demand for the nation’s pharmaceuticals and fresh produce during the COVID-19 crisis. The twice-weekly journeys to Melbourne and Perth, with a tech stop at Singapore, added 200 tonnes of main deck cargo capacity each week, each way. Previously, the airline operated belly-hold services.

• QR900/901 – daily: Switched from Boeing 777-300ER back to Airbus A380 from 27 to 31 March 2020 – final A380 service operated by A7-APF. Slightly reduced frequency in April (19 flights) and switched to B777-300ER starting with A7-BAI on 2 April. Changed to A350-900/1000 from 23 April 2020, starting with A7-AMG A350-900, operating 4 flights/week – TUE/THU/SAT/SUN.
• QR990/QR991 – operated from 30 March 2020 to 25 April 2020, almost daily. 30 March 2020 operated by A7-BEW Boeing 777-300ER, 31 March 2020 operated by A7-BEP. 3 April 2020 A7-ALF Airbus A350-900. 5 April 2020 A7-ALS. 6 April 2020 A7-AMI. 7 April 2020 A7-ALY. 14 April 2020 A7-ALZ. 18 April 2020 A7-AMI. 20 April 2020 A7-ALE. 21 April 2020 A7-AMF. 25 April 2020 A7-ALX.

Freight flights operated – here are some examples of the first few services – these continued from 23 March 2020 to December 2020:

• 23 March 2020: QR8882 from Melbourne, QR8883 to Doha: A7-BAH Boeing 777-300ER.
• 28 March 2020: QR8882 from Melbourne, QR8883 to Doha: A7-BAN Boeing 777-300ER.
• 3-4 April 2020: QR8892 from Melbourne, QR8893 to Singapore: A7-BFQ Boeing 777F.
• 7 April 2020: QR8892 from Melbourne, QR8893 to Singapore: A7-BFU Boeing 777F.
• 10-11 April 2020: QR8892 from Melbourne, QR8893 to Singapore: A7-BFQ Boeing 777F.

Repatriation flights:

• 31 March 2020: Repatriating cruise ship passengers – A7-APC Airbus A380 arrived from Doha empty as QR7537, departed full to Doha as QR7538. This was the final A380 to visit Perth.
• 16 April 2020, Qatar Airways operated a repatriation charter flight for the French government. A7-BAW Boeing 777-300ER arrived in Perth as QR7540 from Christchurch and departed as QR3498 to Doha and Paris, with French citizens aboard.

Scoot

TR8/9 – Wed to Mon B787-8/9, Tuesday A320. Switched to freight only during March 2020, with Boeing 787. Now operating approximately 4 per week, freight only.
TR16/17 – 4/week B787-8/9 Tue & Fri, A320 Thu & Sat: Decreased in March to 10 flights, April 4 flights, remained in single digits – freight only

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Government banned all transit passengers and short-term visitors from 24 March 2020. Singapore Airlines and SilkAir grounded 138 out of 147 aircraft, leaving nine aircraft flying. Scoot parked 47 of its 49 aircraft. Since then, the airline has mainly operated Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with only a few of these types parked.

• SQ225/224 Daily B787-10: Continued until 22 Mar (9V-SCH), then cancelled from 23-27 March 2020, operated freight only flight on 28/3 with 9V-SCD, then ceased. One SQ225/224 services in October 2020, two in November 2020, then flights resumed in March 2021.
• SQ213/226 Daily A350-900: Reduced frequency until 28 March 2020. Subsequently operated freight only, with B787-10, with limited frequency.
• SQ223/214 Daily A350-900: Operated until 24 March 2020 (9V-SHI), then one service on 26 March (9V-SHL), switched to freight-only services, using B787-10. Using A350-900 from 12 January 2021, later switched to B787-10.
• SQ229/230 Daily A350-900: New service, to start from 1 June 2020: Not started.
• SQ215/216 Daily B787-10: Operated daily until 8 March 2020, then 13, 14 and 21 March 2020. Operated freight only (B787-10) 2, 4 and 5 August 2020. A350 9V-SHO used on 11 December 2020.

South African Airways

South African Airways was in financial difficulty prior to COVID-19, but the Perth services were initially likely to continue using A330-200. With the COVID-19 pandemic, services to Perth ceased, the A330-200s were returned to lessors, and A340s advertised for sale, putting the future of this service in doubt.

• SA280/281 daily A330-200/A340-300: Final service 19-20 March 2020, by ZS-SXF Airbus A340-300. It is unclear whether services will resume, due to the airline’s financial difficulties and lack of suitable aircraft.
• 29-30 April 2020 Repatriation flight: ZS-SNC Airbus A340-600 (Star Alliance titles) SA2280 from Cape Town arrived 29 April 2020, departed 30 April as SA2281 to Johannesburg.

Thai Airways International

Thai Airways International operated three times per week between Bangkok and Perth prior to COVID-19, but was also experiencing financial troubles. In July 2020, Thai Airways released a statement that it was unable to pay off a cumulative debt of $2.7bn (Bt85 billion).

• TG481/482 WED/FRI/SUN Airbus A330-300 – final flight 25 March 2020 by HS-TEO. Initially stated flights would resume from 1 July 2020, but later advised that Perth flights were suspended until further notice.
• Repatriation flight 18 June 2020: HS-THB Airbus A350-900 operating flight TG433/TG434 from/to Bangkok (First visit by a Thai A350).