QANTAS says the introduction of flights between Sydney and Mildura won’t be affected by this week’s announcement of reduced services due to the coronavirus.
The airline said on Thursday weaker demand had prompted it to start temporary reductions to international and domestic flights.
Qantas planned to cut 16 per cent of its Asia capacity until at least the end of May, while for Jetstar the cut would be 14 per cent.
Reductions of about 5 per cent were set for flights between Australia and New Zealand.
Domestic capacity of Qantas and Jetstar services was expected to drop by 2.3 per cent in the first half of 2020 “to better match demand”, the company said.
However, demand for regional services was “largely stable” and therefore “recently announced routes will start as planned”.
Qantas in December announced it would start the Sydney-Mildura route, with the first flight scheduled for March 29.
Chief executive Alan Joyce said recent months had been “extraordinarily difficult” for the tourism industry and his airline had sought to minimise the impact of reductions.
“About half of Qantas’ domestic cancellations are between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and we’re avoiding any route exits,” Mr Joyce said.
Customers with existing bookings who are affected by the reductions will be contacted directly and offered alternatives.
