Qantas renews Cathay Pacific codeshare agreement

Qantas and Cathay Pacific have a new codeshare agreement, resuming ties the Flying Kangaroo scrapped six years ago.

Qantas says the new codeshare deal will give its customers access to an expanded network.

Qantas and Cathay Pacific have announced a new codeshare agreement, renewing a partnership that the Flying Kangaroo scrapped six years ago.

The new deal will see Qantas add its code to Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon services within Asia from Hong Kong, to ten cities across India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and on Cathay Pacific’s long haul services to Perth and Cairns.

In turn, Cathay will add its code to 13 routes on Qantas’ domestic network in Australia, subject to regulatory approval.

Qantas International chief executive Alison Webster said the new codeshare would provide customers with access to an expanded network.

“Building on the relationship we have with Cathay Pacific through oneWorld, we’ll offer customers travelling from Australia more connections across Asia via Hong Kong,” Ms Webster said.

“This new codeshare partnership also forms part of our growth strategy for the broad Asia region with strong demand for travel between Australia and Asia.”

Cathay Pacific chief customer and commercial officer Paul Loo said a closer relationship between the airlines was a win-win for the carriers’ customers.

“Australia has been a key destination for Cathay Pacific ever since we launched our first commercial operations to the country nearly half a century ago and we look forward to welcoming guests from Qantas onto our flights soon,” Mr Loo said.

Qantas previously ended its codeshare agreement with Cathay Pacific in 2012, in favour of an alliance with Emirates.

But in recent years, Qantas has returned its focus from the Middle East back to Asian hubs due to the strength of demand in the region.