Qantas fleet renewal to improve regional SA flights, could pave the way to international return

Regional SA flight times could be slashed as part of a shake-up of Qantas’ domestic fleet that could also lead to an even bigger return to Adelaide.

A first look at the aircraft Qantas hopes will transform its fleet - the A321XLR on the final assembly line in Hamburg, Germany.

Regional flight times could be slashed by more than 30 per cent when Qantas unveils new faster aircraft on services to Whyalla, Mount Gambier, Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln this week, but it’s the arrival of new long-distance aircraft later this year that could be key to the national carrier reinstating international services out of Adelaide.

The faster and larger Q400 aircraft will make their debut on flights to the four regional centres from Monday, replacing the Q300 model that is being phased out of Qantas’s regional fleet.

The Q400 can seat up to 78 passengers, while the Q300 is limited to around 50 seats, meaning there could be a slight increase in capacity on some regional routes.

A Qantas spokesman said the new aircraft would be gradually phased into regional South Australian services over the course of the year.

“We’re proud to continue investing in connecting regional Australia and are excited to commence flying our new Q400s from Adelaide next week,” he said.

“It’s the first time we have flown the Q400 from Adelaide since 2015, with the Q400 more than 30 per cent faster than the Q200 and Q300 aircraft, saving customers time travelling to and from regional destinations.”

The Dash-8 Q400 will service SA regional centres.

The Q400 previously flew between Adelaide and Port Lincoln between 2010 and 2015.

Qantas was unable to provide details on how much time would be saved on flights to the four regional centres, which currently range from 40 minutes to Kangaroo Island to a little more than an hour to Mount Gambier.

The spokesman said the new fleet would be managed to improve flight durations while also balancing the need to minimise carbon emissions.

As part of the airline’s biggest domestic fleet renewal in its 104-year history, Qantas is also preparing for the arrival of new aircraft to replace its Boeing 737s currently in service on domestic routes.

The first of 28 Airbus Neo A321XLR aircraft will arrive in Australia in April, after entering the final stage of assembly at the Airbus factory in Hamburg in November.

While initially earmarked for Qantas’s domestic network, the A321XLR can fly longer distances than the 737, meaning it could open up opportunities for new international services to destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur are all within the A321XLR’s reach from Adelaide, given its capacity to fly non-stop for 11 hours.

Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson has previously said the new aircraft would enable the airline to introduce new services that weren’t commercially viable with its existing fleet, including the potential return of an Adelaide to Singapore service.

The last time an international Qantas flight left Adelaide was back in 2013 when its Singapore route was axed.

Qantas wouldn’t comment on which international destinations it was considering as part of a potential return to Adelaide, but said it would provide an update on routes for the A321XLR closer to the aircraft entering service.

“We’re looking forward to the arrival of our A321XLRs this year,” the spokesman said.

“The A321XLRs have a range of 8700km, which is 3000km further than the Boeing 737s they are replacing, opening up new direct Australian domestic and short-haul international routes.”

Originally published as Qantas fleet renewal to improve regional SA flights, could pave the way to international return