Qantas to reduce London flights in May because of weak demand

QANTAS has cancelled three return A380 flights between Dubai and London in May because of weak demand on the flagship service.

Qantas will cancel three return Dubai-London services in May because of weak demand. Pict

QANTAS has cancelled three return A380 flights between Dubai and London in May because of weak demand on the flagship service.

The Flying Kangaroo confirmed it will operate one — rather than the normal 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.

It also follows Virgin Atlantic’s decision to stop flying Down Under next month, leaving British Airways as the only European airline to serve Australia.

However, a former senior Qantas executive questioned what role the airline’s tie-up with Dubai-based giant Emirates had played in weakening demand on the Dubai-London sector.

Qantas began flying via Dubai to London in March last year, with passengers travelling to other European destinations changing onto Emirates services at the Persian Gulf hub.

Previously, they had continued onto London with Qantas before transferring onto British Airways services to other European cities.

“The obvious explanation is when customers get to Dubai they are making the decision to go somewhere else in Europe other than London, or to go on another carrier,” said the former executive, who asked not to be named.

“Either way it’s not good for Qantas, it’s good for Emirates.”

Customers with existing bookings on QF1 and QF10 will be re-accommodated onto Qantas flights QF9 and QF2 respectively, for their sector between Dubai and London, or on Emirates services if required.