Bad news, then good for Qantas

There has been mixed news for Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, which been ordered to pay an huge penalty for illegally sacking more than 1800 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Qantas will have to pay out $90 million dollars for flouting labour laws, the Federal Court ruled. 

At the same time, subsidiary QantasLink has announced it will commence flying to Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands for the first time, with flights set to take off from November 3.

As part of a five-year partnership with the Australian Government that includes both passenger and dedicated freight services, the new flights will provide essential connections for the more than 2,500 residents across both territories, supporting local communities, government operations, tourism and freight.

Available for booking from today, the new services will also make it easier for Australians to reach the remote islands through Qantas’ extensive international and domestic network.

QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan says the airline is delighted to serve the remote Australian territories.

“We’re proud to have been selected by the Australian Government to provide these essential services to the Indian Ocean Territories,” she said. “QantasLink has a long history connecting remote communities across Australia, and we’re committed to delivering a reliable and warm service to customers.

“We look forward to supporting these island communities and helping maintain their vital connection to mainland Australia, while also making it easier for Australians to discover the incredible natural beauty and unique cultures of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.”

The services will operate twice weekly using Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Flight time is approximately 5 hours from Perth to both destinations.

Qantaslink offers new flight options

Good news for would-travellers based in Hobart and Newcastle. 

QantasLink is set to launch new routes from Perth to Newcastle and Hobart later this year, avoiding stopovers in Sydney or Melbourne.

With flights taking off in September, QantasLink will be the only airline offering a direct flight between Perth and Newcastle.

Operating three times a week, the new flights will provide over 45,000 seats each year between the two cities, supporting FIFO workers and mining industry operatives with a non-stop air service into Western Australia.

A direct Perth-Hobart service will also be reinstated by the airline for the first time since 2023 and operate three times a week most months of the year, adding an additional 32,000 seats annually.

Both routes will offer customers improved connectivity into Perth and the airline’s growing western hub, with one-stop connections to a range of Qantas international destinations including London, Paris and Rome (seasonal).

The flights will be operated by QantasLink’s Airbus A319 aircraft. The A319 aircraft, which currently operate intra Western Australia flights have 150 economy seats.

The new services are available for booking on qantas.com now with economy launch fares starting from $299 Perth-Newcastle one-way and $299 Perth-Hobart one-way (sale ends June 2).

"We’re really proud to continue our support for Western Australia’s resource and tourism sectors, with our newest QantasLink routes linking Perth to Hobart once more and Perth to Newcastle for the first time," said Rachel Yangoyan, CEO QantasLink

“These direct services will not only boost inbound visitors to WA but offer more opportunities for those working in the resource sectors across the country with improved options for their travel.”

New QantasLink jet is a work of art

Meet the latest addition to the QantasLink fleet, which is adorned with eye-catching Aboriginal artwork.

The newest Airbus A220 aircraft has rolled out of the paint shop at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, as part of the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program.

The aircraft, which is set to arrive in Australia before the end of the year, is the first of 29 A220s that will be delivered to the group.

The next-generation QantasLink A220s will gradually replace the Boeing 717s currently operating flights across Australia. With double the range of the 717, the A220 is expected to open up new domestic and short-haul international routes as more aircraft enter the fleet, Qantas says.

This will be the 12th new aircraft delivered to the group in the past 12 months, including eight Airbus A321LR aircraft for Jetstar and three Boeing 787 Dreamliners for Qantas International.

The aircraft spent two weeks in the paintshop where the paint scheme was applied, making this aircraft the sixth to join the national carrier’s longstanding Flying Art Series.

The Qantas Flying Art Series was launched in 1994 with the unveiling of the first Indigenous livery aircraft, a Boeing 747 jumbo jet named Wunala Dreaming. 

Leading Indigenous Australian design agency, Balarinji, has worked with Qantas to create the fuselage design for all of the Flying Art Series liveries, in collaboration with First Nations artists and their families.

The latest Flying Art Series livery features the artwork of senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker and tells the Dreaming story of two sisters who traverse remote Australia together, covering vast distances to find their way home.

The aircraft is named after the artwork Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa - The Two Sisters Creation Story.

Around 100 painters were involved in completing the livery. It features over 20,000 dots and is the most complex livery Airbus has ever completed for this aircraft type.

Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, said the QantasLink A220s would be a game changer for domestic and regional travel.

“These aircraft have the potential to change the way our customers travel across the country, with the ability to connect any two cities or towns in Australia,” said Hudson.

“That means faster and more convenient travel for business trips and exciting new possibilities for holiday travel. A whole new fleet type also means a lot of opportunities for our people to operate and look after these aircraft.”