Cancellation of Qantas flights delivers another blow to the Tasmanian tourism sector

The state of the Tasmanian tourism sector is “as bad as it gets” after it was delivered another devastating blow, with Qantas announcing it is cutting international flights by 90 per cent.

THE cancellation of Qantas flights is yet another blow to an already besieged Tasmanian tourism sector.

Australia’s flag carrier on Tuesday announced it is cutting international flights by a massive 90 per cent by the end of the month.

Domestic flights will also be cut by 60 per cent – a huge jump from the five per cent reduction in flights the airline had earlier predicted.

It means 150 jets will be grounded including almost all of the airline’s wide bodied long haul fleet of A380 superjumbos.

The airline said the cuts “reflects a rapid decline in forward travel demand due to government containment measures, corporate travel bans and a general pullback from everyday activities across the community.”

The aircraft will be parked until “at least the end of May 2020” with previously announced cuts remaining in place until September.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said it was now “as bad as it gets” with jobs being cut and businesses struggling to stay afloat.

“The reality is that Qantas has recognised the cut in demand and that’s why they’ve slashed flights,” he said.

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“It’s body blows on top of body blows for tourism and we’re really struggling.

“It’s a temporary disruption but the problem is we don’t know how long it will go for.”

Mr Martin said many tourism and hospitality businesses were already cutting jobs.

“Casuals are the first to go, then you get into enforced leave but I’m already hearing of job losses,” he said.

“They haven’t shut down the borders yet but people just aren’t travelling.”