Qantas, Virgin international flights grounded with end to government-subsidised network

Australian airlines will temporarily disappear from international airways with the final government-subsidised flights.

Qantas will park much of its international fleet indefinitely following the last service of the government’s temporary international network. Picture: AAP

Qantas international flights have been halted indefinitely following the end of the government-subsidised network to London, Auckland, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

The federal government supported the network operated by Qantas and Virgin Australia, in an effort to bring stranded Australians home from overseas at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.

The last scheduled flight from LA landed back in Australia on Monday morning with Qantas now making the recommencement of many domestic services its focus.

It is unclear when the Flying Kangaroo will again operate to overseas ports with Australia’s borders remaining closed to international travellers due to COVID-19.

Virgin Australia’s final international flight as part of the government’s temporary network will land in Brisbane from LA on Tuesday.

A statement issued by Qantas said they were “proud to have helped thousands of Australians return home as well as taking foreign nationals back in the other direction”.

“We’re particularly grateful to the crew who operated these regular flights together with charters to various other countries over the past few months,” said the statement.

“We’re now working with government to co-ordinate their continued support of various domestic and regional routes. This will complement the network Qantas and Jetstar will be operating from mid-June by underwriting various destinations that would not otherwise be commercially viable and therefore helping maintain critical transport connections.”

In addition to regular flights to major overseas cities, Qantas has operated a number of repatriation flights to Buenos Aires, Johannesburg and New Delhi.

Although all flights carried fare-paying passengers, in most cases the services were operated at a loss with the government paying the difference to Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Ad hoc international flights if required

It’s understood Qantas retains the ability to operate some ad hoc international flights if required and some of the airline’s A330s are continuing to fly freight-only services in response to high demand.

Other aircraft used by Qantas on international routes, including A380s, Boeing 747s and Jetstar’s 787s, remain grounded until overseas operations resume.

In recognition of the fact many international pilots and cabin crew might not have any work until next year, unions have called on the federal government to extend the JobKeeper allowance beyond September.

Australian and International Pilots Association president Mark Sedgwick wrote to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, urging him to support workers adversely affected by international border closures.

“While AIPA recognises that the Australian economy cannot be sustained indefinitely by government subsidies, in maintaining the important public safety benefit behind the indefinite closure of Australia’s international borders, it urges the government extend the JobKeeper package with a tightening of eligibility for specific industries, including aviation,” Mr Sedgwick wrote.