Jake Nelson

The service, starting in September, will operate three times per week using Jetstar’s A320 fleet, with ticket sales to begin next month. Jetstar estimates that it will create 58,000 seats per year between Adelaide and the popular tourist destination.

Speaking to Ross Greenwood on Sky News, Sir Tim Clark acknowledged that Qantas has had “a torrid time”, but said former CEO Alan Joyce did a good job guiding the Flying Kangaroo through the pandemic, especially considering the Australian Government’s restrictive border policies.

Danial Rochford, the CEO of Tourism Central Australia, has lauded the low-cost carrier’s twice-weekly service, saying it had brought more airline competition to the Red Centre and is expected to carry significant numbers of tourists into Alice Springs.

Starting 1 October, Emirates’ second daily flight to Brisbane will be upgraded from a 777-300ER to an A380, while Perth will see an additional daily 777-300ER flight starting 1 December. Between them, the two flights are expected to add 6,900 seats between Australia and Dubai per week.

In an official submission to the International Air Services Commission, the consumer watchdog has argued that Virgin’s application would bolster competition on routes from Australia to Bali and give passengers more choice for airfares and service offerings.

Andrew McGinnes, the Flying Kangaroo’s group executive of corporate affairs, will depart the company in June to “pursue other opportunities” after 13 years with Qantas and Jetstar. He has served in several corporate affairs and communications roles at Qantas Group since 2011.