Qantas has scrapped most international flights until late October with the Australia government once again trying to extinguish hopes that Aussies can take an overseas holiday this year.
Australia’s national borders are likely to remain closed until next year, PM Scott Morrison said once again.
International flights were previously on hold until the end of July, although trans-Tasman flights to New Zealand could restart next month or in August.
The PM said ‘essential business travel’ is allowed for some Australians, with mandatory quarantine and overseas students will likely be allowed to travel to Australia.
"I can’t honestly see international travel more generally, people coming from all over the world to Australia again, anytime soon," Morrison said.
"With Australia’s borders set to remain closed for some time, we have cancelled most international flights until late October. We still have some flights scheduled across the Tasman in the coming months, with the expected travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand," Qantas said.
"Should travel between Australia and other countries open up and demand returns, we can add more flights back into our schedule."
The carrier plans to continue adding domestic flights as restrictions within Australia begin to ease, and will ramp it up further when holdout states like Western Australia eventually open their borders.
Qantas owned budget carrier Jetstar has launches $19 fares to a host of domestic destinations to meet what it reckons is ‘huge pent up demand.’
