Qantas on future of southwest flight routes

THEIR decision on southwest Queensland flight routes comes after the airline company cut 90% of its domestic and international flights.

FOLLOWING the announcement that Qantas is grounding domestic and international flights over coronavirus concerns, the airline has offered reassurance to regional customers in the southwest.

It confirmed on Thursday that Qantaslink routes between Roma, Charleville and Brisbane will operate as per usual.

While almost all international flights, and 60 per cent of domestic flights are being suspended, 19 weekly return flights will continue to operate on the Roma-Brisbane route, as well as Charleville's four weekly services.

In the lead up to the decision yesterday, a Qantas spokeswoman said regional routes were a priority.

"At front of mind as we work through the changes is the understanding around how important Qantas flights are to regional communities in particular," she said.

Passengers are able to cancel their bookings if they choose not to travel, even if their flight isn't grounded.

Qantas confirmed in a statement that tickets booked direct are eligible for travel credit.

"The Group has issued a wide-ranging booking waiver for customers wanting to suspend their travel plans," the airline's statement read.

"Customers with existing bookings on any domestic or international flight until 31 May 2020, who no longer wish to travel, can cancel their flight and retain the value of the booking as a travel credit voucher.

"This needs to be processed by 31 March 2020."

The grounding of flights is affecting Qantas and Jetstar customers on major routes, and other regional routes.

Freight, however, is set to be unaffected, Qantas confirmed.

 

Postponing your trip? Here's what you need to know:

In light of the groundings, Qantas will be offering no-cost cancellations for passengers who choose to suspend their travel.

It is understood the booking waiver is valid for all Qantas group tickets.

Qantas customers who booked directly through the airline should visit Manage Booking on Qantas.com, select 'Cancel' and then 'Voucher'.

As for those looking to use their self-isolation time to book a holiday, there are specific rules around receiving travel credit.

"Customers who make a new domestic or international booking and later decide they no longer wish to travel, can cancel their flight and retain the value of the booking as a Qantas travel credit or Jetstar travel voucher," a Qantas spokeswoman said.

"This applies to bookings made from 10 March 2020 until 31 March 2020 for travel before 31 May 2020.

"If flights were booked through a travel agency or third-party website (e.g. Webjet, Booking.com), customers will need to contact them directly to make changes to their booking.

"Customers should not call the contact centres. Due to high demand, we are experiencing long call wait times."

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