Qantas has cancelled three return A380 flights between Dubai and London in May because of weak demand.
The move increases speculation that Emirates is getting more value than Qantas from the partnership between the two airlines.
Qantas confirmed it will operate one – rather than two — daily return services between Dubai and London on three days next month.
The impacted services will be QF10 between London and Dubai on May 12, 19 and 28, and QF1 between Dubai and London on May 13, 20 and 28.
Qantas executive manager for international sales, Stephen Thompson, said it was common for airlines to reduce the number of flights on some routes during quieter parts of the year.
It follows the airline’s decision to cancel three return A380 services between Melbourne and London via Dubai in February and March.
Emirates president Tim Clark recently acknowledged that the challenges faced by Qantas have held back the development of the partnership.
I don’t think we backed the wrong horse," he said. "The partnership is doing what we thought it would do.
"Dubai has been a beneficiary. We’ve had many Australian tourists – 260,000 in the last 10 or 11 months have stopped over in Dubai."
Qantas International CEO Simon Hickey said the joint network has delivered on its promise to boost inbound tourism for Australia and its regional cities in particular, with Emirates customers booking on Qantas Domestic services as part of their journey.
