Qantas said it will more than double the number of flights between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island after regional carrier Rex said it was pulling out.
QantasLink flights will be increased from five a week to a dozen from July, the airline said.
"We’re stepping up to help Kangaroo Island. We will continue to work with the federal and state government, tourism bodies, all of the players involved. South Australia is open for business, Kangaroo Island is open for business," said QantasLink CEO John Gissing.
Last week Rex accused Qantas of trying to force it out by dumping cheap seats in the market at unsustainable fares.
Rex hasn’t given a deadline to when it will pull out but it could be before Qantas’ additional flights begin.
"We believe this is an attempt to distract from the really heartless decision to desert Kangaroo Island in its time of need," Gissing added.
Gissing says QantasLink has no plans to increase fares on the route.
Rex made a formal complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
