Qantas set to bring back six new overseas routes as international borders gear up to reopen

As Australia gears up to get back to travel normality, national carrier Qantas will restart six overseas routes not seen since the pandemic began.

The closest we have been to international travel normality is just weeks away, with the federal government announcing the return of international tourists and business travellers from February 21.

The tourism and aviation sector have been two of the hardest hit throughout the pandemic, with border closures, vaccination requirements and quarantine measure all impacting the industry.

In response, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar slashed overseas routes entirely, and significantly reduced the frequency of domestic flight across the course of the pandemic.

Airlines are gearing up for an increase in overseas travel after February 21. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

But 2022 has turned a new leaf for aviation especially, and as a result — Aussie carriers are bringing back much loved routes, and even throwing in a few not serviced before.

This week, Qantas announced they would be launching flights from Sydney to Broken Hill — a regional route dominated by rival airline REX for the past 18 years.

The airline hopes the new route will allow for “an easy long weekend in the city, and allow visitors to make the most out of their outback exploration”.

In an interview with the Australia, Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said bookings for flights coming into Australia doubled within 24-hours of the border opening announcement — and while domestic sales have been strong, it’s now time for overseas travel to finally kick back into gear.

Australian borders will be reopen to overseas tourists from February 21. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

“Bookings are strongest out of the US and UK and we’ve also seen spikes from South Africa, India and Canada, with March, April and May the most popular months for travel,” Mr David said.

“This shows how much people want to come to Australia.”

As a result, Qantas will also bring back some routes that proved popular prior to the pandemic.

The airline’s Boeing 787-9s will fire up again for the Sydney to Dallas restart from February 16, followed by Brisbane-Singapore, Sydney-Manila and Sydney-Jakarta on March 27.

Aussies desperate to get back to Bali — even though vaccinated will have to isolate for five days on arrival and unvaccinated for seven days — Denpasar is also set to make a return from Sydney on March 28 and Brisbane to Los Angeles on April 1.

Emirates has announced its second daily flight on the Sydney-Dubai route, served by the A380 aircraft. Starting 1 March, the airline will offer customers an additional seven flights per week, to reach fourteen weekly services from Dubai to the Harbour City.