Qantas unveils three new routes from the nation's capital

[jakeseven7]

Lots of new QF routes popping up everywhere as borders are removed. Tasmania also got 5 new QF routes (in other thread)

Looking forward to using some of these newbies!

——-

Qantas unveils three
new routes from the nation's capital


Qantas has announced it will be expanding their network, with three new routes kicking off next month from Canberra, and introductory sale fares from $159 one-way.

The services include a Canberra-Sunshine Coast route, from November 19, a Canberra-Cairns route from November 21, and a Canberra-Hobart route from December 4.

Qantas will also be launching with a three-day fare sale, with one-way flights to Cairns from $199, flights to Sunshine Coast from $169, and flights to Hobarts from $159.

Qantas has been staggering out a number of new flight routes since state and territory border restrictions began easing in September, with a total of nine new services across Australia so far.

Among them, the recently-launched Canberra to Gold Coast route, as well as last week's relaunch of the Sydney to Launceston service following a 16-year hiatus, as Tasmania lifts border restrictions with most Aussie states.

Qantas unveils three new routes from the nation's capital, with sale fares from $159

travel.nine.com.au

 

[Mattg]

Is it just me, or is it curious that Qantas is adding flights on 3 routes that have just been launched ex CBR by smaller regional airlines? I wonder if any of them will cry "anti-competitive", like Rex no doubt would if they were the incumbent airline?

I can't see Link Airways or Alliance sustaining their new CBR-HBA or CBA-MCY flights if they have to compete with QF in the long term.

 

[jakeseven7]

Is it just me, or is it curious that Qantas is adding flights on 3 routes that have just been launched ex CBR by smaller regional airlines? I wonder if any of them will cry "anti-competitive", like Rex no doubt would if they were the incumbent airline?

I can't see Link Airways or Alliance sustaining their new CBR-HBA or CBA-MCY flights if they have to compete with QF in the long term.

I think they are probably all looking at the same numbers and route viability and going from there.... only so many routes I guess...

Pity Bain/VA2 junked all their smaller aircraft could have been quite handy in these times to join the fray!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

QF's direct HBA direct to CBR would suit people like Jacqui (edited by self) Lambie and the other Tas based MPs/Senators.
They are the only ones with the CL/J lounge at HBA, eh?
So they would have a gain there, though of course, in the end, the flight fares of Fed Parliament's sitters are borne by you and me.
Re: Jakeseven's comments, Rex might step into the fray later, they say they will have a FF system later on, though I don't think they have a lounge at HBA, but neither does VA1/VA2.

 

[RooFlyer]

They are the only ones with the CL/J lounge at HBA, eh?

Neither at HBA (I assume you were kidding ).

Is it just me, or is it curious that Qantas is adding flights on 3 routes that have just been launched ex CBR by smaller regional airlines?

No coincidence at all I reckon.

But fantastic for me for AFF in CBR - rather than HBA-SYD-CBR, CBR-MEL-HBA for about 24,000 points, its now direct both ways in whY for 16,000 !!

So with that, I upgraded to J , 36,800 points BUT I got a refund of $61 in taxes . Its a B717, but tolerable in J I think.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thought that QF had a J lounge at HBA.
Never went through there when I was a QFF SG tier holder, so did not get the chance to see if QF had only a QP at HBA, and not a CL/J lounge.
My apologies.
Edit: ah, just had a look at (Dr) Google, looks like QF only has a QP down there.
Ta Rooflyer.

 

[jb747]

Until Qld opens up, route structures are going to be very distorted. QF has just retired approximately 250 of its pilots, off the 747,380, 330, and 787, so there’s a lot of equipment, and personnel, looking for places to be used (‘cos they can’t be used internationally).

 

[justinbrett]

Is it just me, or is it curious that Qantas is adding flights on 3 routes that have just been launched ex CBR by smaller regional airlines? I wonder if any of them will cry "anti-competitive", like Rex no doubt would if they were the incumbent airline?

I can't see Link Airways or Alliance sustaining their new CBR-HBA or CBA-MCY flights if they have to compete with QF in the long term.

I think it’s the textbook definition of competitive.

 

[Mattg]

I think it’s the textbook definition of competitive.

The question would be whether Qantas’ main motivation in launching these flights is to drive the smaller regional airlines off the route by undercutting their fares, flooding the market with excess capacity and making it impossible to compete.

 

[justinbrett]

The question would be whether Qantas’ main motivation in launching these flights is to drive the smaller regional airlines off the route by undercutting their fares, flooding the market with excess capacity and making it impossible to compete.

Unless they’re operating the route below cost (they’re not), not much they can do other than whinge.

We’re talking about flights between major centres, not small regional airports. They’re not regulated routes. There is increased demand for domestic leisure travel and Qantas is simply catering to it.

 

[jakeseven7]

The question would be whether Qantas’ main motivation in launching these flights is to drive the smaller regional airlines off the route by undercutting their fares, flooding the market with excess capacity and making it impossible to compete.

Its called capital utilisation.... any airframe back in the air, stimulating demand and taking money is better than one on the ground, especially with the way the government has structured the support packages for businesses.

And all the airlines all have access to the same passenger data and information to open new routes so it’s hardly surprising they are bunching on similar routes... But QF have opened new routes no one else is flying too.

Of course there is a competitive element to everything a commercial business does as well, that I agree with.

But QF was never really interested in these routes before because what @jb747 said because there were bigger fish available to fry. And those fish (interstate QLD routes between VIC and NSW and interstate WA routes between VIC and NSW) are unavailable to everyone because of some still standing very controversial border closures.

 

[jakeseven7]

Thought that QF had a J lounge at HBA.
Never went through there when I was a QFF SG tier holder, so did not get the chance to see if QF had only a QP at HBA, and not a CL/J lounge.
My apologies.
Edit: ah, just had a look at (Dr) Google, looks like QF only has a QP down there.
Ta Rooflyer.

I dispute this claim . The QP in HBA has a couple of chairs near some pot plants with direct line of sight to the toastie maker that are well known as the J lounge in HBA
Only elite WP’s know of this special area though

On a more serious note, I’d be interested in mapping out the timing of these 3 new routes for QF out of HBA as their VIC and NSW schedule beefs up because the QP was always very busy before...

Add to this that VA1 was always quite weak in Tassie and seems to have barely bothered with it (so far) reborn as Bain/VA2 - a lot of people will probably switch to QF/JQ as well...

 

[justinbrett]

I dispute this claim . The QP in HBA has a couple of chairs near some pot plants with direct line of sight to the toastie maker that are well known as the J lounge in HBA
Only elite WP’s know of this special area though

On a more serious note, I’d be interested in mapping out the timing of these 3 new routes for QF out of HBA as their VIC and NSW schedule beefs up because the QP was always very busy before...

Add to this that VA1 was always quite weak in Tassie and seems to have barely bothered with it (so far) reborn as Bain/VA2 - a lot of people will probably switch to QF/JQ as well...

And I’d like to know why Qantas still hasn’t announced when the Tasmanian, MEL and DRW clubs will reopen despite adding a bunch of flights.

 

[jakeseven7]

And I’d like to know why Qantas still hasn’t announced when the Tasmanian, MEL and DRW clubs will reopen despite adding a bunch of flights.

For Tassie; HBA and LST, I’d probably expect when VIC flights recommence, that is easily over 60% of their flights.

MEL is still a ghost town, so probably when borders start opening with other states from Nov 23 (NSW/ACT), Dec 1 (TAS) are the dates announced

DRW I don’t know a lot about their traffic volumes.

 

[justinbrett]

For Tassie; HBA and LST, I’d probably expect when VIC flights recommence, that is easily over 60% of their flights.

MEL is still a ghost town, so probably when borders start opening with other states from Nov 23 (NSW/ACT), Dec 1 (TAS) are the dates announced

DRW I don’t know a lot about their traffic volumes.

I would have expected an announcement already for MEL considering they’ve announced 132 weekly flights between MEL and NSW.

 

[oz_mark]

I would have expected an announcement already for MEL considering they’ve announced 132 weekly flights between MEL and NSW.

The MEL lounge is still sibject to the Victorian restrictions. You could probably pencil in 23 Nov....

 

[dajop]

I would have expected an announcement already for MEL considering they’ve announced 132 weekly flights between MEL and NSW.

Remember there are restrictions on the number of people in hospitality venues and until today there has been a cap of just 10 people per indoor space. Maybe now that the cap is being increased, particularly from Nov 23 you will see it opening then, to up to 100 pax in QC and 100 pax in J lounge?

 

[justinbrett]

Remember there are restrictions on the number of people in hospitality venues and until today there has been a cap of just 10 people per indoor space. Maybe now that the cap is being increased, particularly from Nov 23 you will see it opening then, to up to 100 pax in QC and 100 pax in J lounge?

Strictly speaking I don’t think an airline lounge should be classified as a hospitality venue, it’s main function is a place for you to sit and wait for your flight - not to feed you. It’s just a private section of the airport to wait as opposed to “departure lounges” which are the generic public waiting areas - and they don’t put restrictions on them.

All seems to be a moot point when you’re about to board a thin metal tube with 179 of your closest friends.

 

[Happy Dude]

The question would be whether Qantas’ main motivation in launching these flights is to drive the smaller regional airlines off the route by undercutting their fares, flooding the market with excess capacity and making it impossible to compete.

Bunnings do this all the time, as do a bunch of other businesses. BCF, Starbucks, supermarkets and their fuel stations too, etc etc.....

A 'lil competition is good for the skies. Some of the prices offered by the regionals have been eye-watering and if that remained after covid 'settles down' then they wouldn't stay in the air anyway.

 

[justinbrett]

Bunnings do this all the time, as do a bunch of other businesses. BCF, Starbucks, supermarkets and their fuel stations too, etc etc.....

A 'lil competition is good for the skies. Some of the prices offered by the regionals have been eye-watering and if that remained after covid 'settles down' then they wouldn't stay in the air anyway.

And remember, competition laws exist to protect customers, not businesses. If the result is cheaper fares on a better aircraft, that’s a win for travellers.