MELBOURNE, FEB 4:
Australian Airline Qantas
today said it is planning to increase flights to India and other Asian
countries using longer range Dreamliner planes in the next three years.
Rolling out its new four phase
strategy for the Asian Market, it said direct destinations under consideration
include Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo-Haneda.
This is proposed to be
undertaken through local partners such as Japan Airlines, China Eastern, Jet
Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines, a statement by the airline said.
Qantas said a series of
improvements to its international network, as part of a phased approach, was
aimed at delivering the best offering between Australia and Asia.
“The improvements — the first
of which take effect from 31 March 2013 — will be rolled out in four phases and
go towards the Qantas Group strategy of ‘growing with Asia’,” it said.
Chief Executive Officer of
Qantas International, Simon Hickey, said Asia remained a key pillar for the
airline.
“Through a combination of
Qantas, Jetstar and our partners we aim to provide the best travel options
between Australia and Asia, all linked to one of the world’s leading frequent
flyer programmes,” he said.
“Our first step has been to
restructure existing services to Asia now that they are no longer tied to
onward links to Europe.
“The number of dedicated
seats on Qantas services to Hong Kong and Singapore is increasing significantly
because capacity previously set aside for customers going to Europe via these
hubs can be freed up.”
The airline, however, said
Qantas and Emirates still need final approval for their alliance from the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. It is expected to make its
decision next month.
No comments:
Post a Comment