Aussie traveller demand pushes airlines to revive routes and up capacity
Airlines are stepping up capacity and launching new routes in response to Australian travellers’ increased demand.
Major aviation players continue to announce revived routes and high demand, with Qantas relaunching flights to a popular Pacific Island, Qatar Airways bringing back jumbo jets on its Sydney to Doha route, Cebu Pacific Air returning to Australia and Singapore Airlines upping its capacity for three Aussie cities.
Hundreds of Australians will take off to New Caledonia for their tropical holidays this week, as Qantas recommences services to Nouméa from Sydney and Brisbane over the weekend.
The national carrier will initially operate four return flights per week on a Boeing 737-800 between Australia and New Caledonia, with a weekly service between Brisbane and Nouméa and three weekly services between Sydney and Nouméa.
This year, Qantas is celebrating 80 years of connection with Nouméa, with the first flights taking off in 1942 to support wartime efforts in the Pacific. It then became a key stop on South Pacific services from 1946, with regular flights operated by Empire flying boats between Sydney and Suva via Brisbane and Nouméa.
Qatar Airways is also celebrating this week, with the Airbus A380 jumbo jet returning to its Sydney- Doha service from 2 June to meet mounting travel demand in Australia and offering larger seat capacity as well as both First and Business Class for its premium cabins.
Airbus A380 will be operating daily flights per week on QR909, connecting Australians to Qatar Airways’ global network of over 140 destinations. Sydney is the first southern hemisphere destination to see Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380 since November 2021.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ leading airline, announced its intention to resume its Sydney-Manila route with three times weekly flights in July.
To celebrate, the airline is offering a SYD-MNL promo fare of $299 from June 1-9. Tickets will be valid for travel from 1 November 2022 to 31 May 2023.
For nearer travel dates, promo seats are sold for as low as $309 from 1-30 June 2022 for travel from 1 July to 31 October this year.
CEB’s direct Sydney-Manila flights will run the airline’s high capacity A330 fleet, capable of carrying up to 436 passengers (A330ceo), or 459 passengers (A330neo) at a time.
Last but not least, Singapore Airlines will increase operations to four times daily to Melbourne, while Cairns and Darwin will increase to five times weekly, as travel demand continues to grow.
The Top End also welcomed SIA’s newest narrowbody aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 on 2 June, elevating the customer experience for those travelling to Darwin.
From Monday 30 May, Cairns services will increase from three to five-times weekly, with SQ203/SQ204 to operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, providing more opportunities for international tourists to visit Australia’s gateway to the Barrier Reef.
From Tuesday 31 May, SIA will increase its operations to Darwin to five-times weekly, with SQ251/252 operating every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, delivering greater connectivity to the Top End.
Finally, from Wednesday 1 June, Victorians will have four-daily flight options between Melbourne and Singapore when SQ207/SQ208 begins operations.
The fourth-daily service will be operated by SIA’s Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, fitted with 40 lie-flat Business Class seats, all with direct aisle access and 263 ergonomically designed Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout.
Featured image: Natural aquarium, Maré-Maré, New Caledonia (@ayance via Qantas)
Latest News
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.
Celebrity Ascent makes its European debut
Choosing to cruise this northern summer? Celebrity Ascent promises to raise the bar.
NCL opens sales for Norwegian Sun’s APAC debut, announces 14 new voyages
It was to be 13 new voyages we heard, but given the numbers unlucky nature, an extra had to be thought up.
Inside Travel Group appoints Tom Welland Global Trade Marketing Manager
Heidi's Tom Welland heads to Inside Travel Group as its new Global Trade Marketing Manager.
Federal Government rolls out $1.4m program to promote careers in tourism across regional NSW
The Government taking a break from some of its pointier issues with some work in our incredible industry!
Australian visitors to South Korea surge
Japanned out? Aussies are adding South Korea to their bucket list.
G Adventures celebrates Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th with new wildlife-focused trips
Fancy yourself as a bit of a conservationist? Put your skills to the test on the Jane Goodall collection.
Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays
If only we had a company like Boeing to blame our mistakes on. Any takers? Get in touch!
Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800
The iconic Singapore Airlines' A380-800 is in a class of its own - business class that is.
South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen
Bringing two of the world's most distinctive accents closer together, for good or for bad is yet to be determined.
My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse
Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse? ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]
Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport
We've also been looking into our future. It involves plenty of famils, we hope.
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]