Qantas cans all mainland China flights for at least 2 months

[offshore171]

Finally, they’ve just announced cancellation of all QF flights to PRC for 2 months.

Reason given is that it will affect aircrew who will face flow on entry restrictions (into Singapore and the US for example).

 

[sudoer]

Cancellation doesn't start until 9th Feb which I find strange. If a two month ban is justified, I would've thought starting it immediately (or within 24 hours) would be more appropriate.

 

[Isochronous]

It gives them some time to deal with passengers already ticketed or who would otherwise be stranded, I suppose.

 

[kamchatsky]

Cancellation doesn't start until 9th Feb which I find strange. If a two month ban is justified, I would've thought starting it immediately (or within 24 hours) would be more appropriate.

That's because there are tons of Chinese coming back to Australia after CNY holiday, to start school or Uni or work etc

 

[Pushka]

That's because there are tons of Chinese coming back to Australia after CNY holiday, to start school or Uni or work etc

Which kind of negates the process then but I guess understandable.

 

[oz_mark]

Which kind of negates the process then but I guess understandable.

The press release is pretty clear that it is a balance of commercial reasons.

This follows entry restrictions imposed by countries including Singapore and the United States, which impact the movement of crew who work across the Qantas International network.

These entry restrictions pose significant logistical challenges for rostering crew to operate mainland China services, leading to the need to temporarily suspend these flights.

...

In selecting a date to suspend services Qantas is working to balance high passenger numbers in both directions – including Australian residents wanting to return home from China – with the various travel restrictions being applied.

 

[AIRwin]

A330 redeployed to domestic routes?

 

[Pushka]

And now a Do Not Travel to China.

 

[kpc]

Qf might have to make another announcement

 

[p--and--t]

Surely, QF also are thinking they have some sort of market obligation to bring back home those AU passport holders they took there over recent weeks and hold a return ticket.

Obviously not for forever given the circumstances and reality of plunging bookings, but a limited time, for the next week for those Aussies who have realised they are probably not in the right place right now.

 

[offshore171]

And now a Do Not Travel to China.

Does this now stop qantas sending commercial flights TO China effective immediately? From a legal perspective that is.