Debrief

Insights from the world of aviation

AIRLINE NEWS

Qantas’s regional wing QantasLink claimed top honours for punctuality in 2018. Figures from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) showed QantasLink had 84. 3 per cent of its flights arrive within 15 minutes of schedule in calendar 2018, ahead of Qantas at 80. 9 per cent. QantasLink also led all local carriers for on-time departures at 85. 2 per cent, with Regional Express (Rex) coming in second at 83. 0 per cent.

— Qantas will become the fourth airline offering nonstop flights between Melbourne and Queenstown when it launches a three times weekly seasonal service in time for the upcoming ski season. The airline plans to operate Boeing 737-800s with 12 business class seats and 162 economy class seats on the route between June 21 and August 27. The flights have been scheduled for Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Qantas said it would cut its Melbourne-Christchurch service from daily to four flights a week while the Melbourne-Queenstown flights were operating.