Qantas to suspend Ayers Rock-Perth route
The Qantas Group has just announced changes to under-performing Northern Territory routes which will see frequency reductions of its mainline operation between Ayers Rock (Uluru) and both Cairns and Perth.
Effective 01 Sep, QF flights will be scaled back from 14 return weekly services to 7 on the AYQ-CNS route, and from 4 weekly to 2 on the AYQ-PER city pairs – the latter will be suspended effective 28 Oct 2012.
Jetstar frequencies between Darwin and Sydney are also being culled from a high of 11 return weekly services to 7, as is the low-cost carrier’s int’l route between Darwin and Denpasar, cut from up to 11 weekly services to 8, effective 16 Aug 2012.
Qantas Domestic ceo Lyell Strambi said the performance of the routes has been “poor” despite various strategies, citing the high Australian dollar’s impact on inbound tourism as having a significant effect.
“Qantas is committed to having the right aircraft on the right routes to make sure we have the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions and to ensure the long term viability of services to the region,” the newly appointed QF Domestic chief said.
JQ Group cco David Koczkar said the airline “remained committed to the Northern Territory, but needed to adjust its capacity in line with market forces.”
Aircraft freed up by the NT operational adjustment are to be redeployed across the Qantas and Jetstar networks, including one JQ A320 which will be repositioned from Darwin to the east coast.
Customers affected by the changes are to be contacted by the airlines or via their travel agents and provided alternative travel options.
More details in tomorrow’s Travel Daily.