Qantas is increasing its flights to Europe and redeploying aircraft from its U.S. network, as escalating tensions in the Middle East force airlines to reroute services and avoid key Gulf hubs.
The airline said it will roll out the changes between mid-April and late July, boosting capacity on major European routes. Flights between Perth and Rome will operate daily, while services from Sydney to Paris will increase from three to five per week.
In a notable adjustment, Paris-bound flights will now depart from Sydney via Singapore rather than Perth, allowing for an additional 60 passengers per service. Qantas will also increase its Perth–Singapore route to 10 weekly flights to strengthen onward connections to Europe.
The move comes as airlines increasingly avoid traditional transit hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, amid safety concerns linked to the conflict involving Iran. Airspace closures across parts of the Middle East and Ukraine have forced carriers into more limited routing options, adding complexity to long-haul operations.
To support the expansion, Qantas is reallocating Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft from its U.S. services and shifting some Airbus A330 planes from domestic routes to international operations.
Aviation analysts say the changes reflect a broader industry response to shifting demand and operational constraints. Justin Wastnage of the Griffith Institute for Tourism estimates that up to 30 per cent of capacity between Australia and Europe has been removed, tightening supply and pushing up fares.
Despite Qantas’ increased capacity, experts say ticket prices are unlikely to fall, citing strong demand and rising fuel costs linked to instability in global energy markets.
The developments also come as Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, reduces some trans-Tasman services from May due to higher operating costs.