The latest surge of COVID-19 cases in Australia has dealt a crucial blow to local airlines that were beginning to recover some momentum based on their domestic strength.
As well as further growing its domestic network with seven new routes, the oneworld alliance member is adding more Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 flights within Australia.
The move was prompted by Australian government statements this week that international travel to and from Australia will probably remain at low levels until mid-2022.
Qantas and Virgin Australia are continuing to ramp up their domestic services to nearly pre-pandemic levels, with both airlines bringing in more aircraft to boost their domestic fleets.
Virgin Australia has pushed back its target for resuming short-haul international flights as prospects for a two-way travel bubble with New Zealand appear to be fading.
Virgin Australia has cut its Boeing 737 MAX orders by about half but remains focused on narrowbody operations, signaling that a return to widebody flying is still on the agenda but remains a long-term prospect.
Virgin Australia has emerged from voluntary administration with a new CEO and a revised business model that retains most core elements while making significant adjustments.
Routes analyzes some of the services returning as well as new routes being launched. This week we look at Air Canada’s plans to launch a route to Qatar; Qantas adding Tasmania capacity; and Jazeera Airways returning to Muscat after more than a decade.
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Australia have officially paused their transpacific joint venture, while the latter regroups after the COVID-19 crisis forced it to seek voluntary administration.
Virgin Australia confirmed plans to keep 56 of its Boeing 737s when it exits the administration process, which means it will cut almost 30 aircraft from its narrowbody fleet compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
