British Airways adjusts its post-Qantas JSA Asian network and partnerships; Qatar Airways to be next

Asia was the storied stopover point on British Airways' services to Australia, which for 18 years from 1995 until 2013 were operated in partnership with Qantas under a Joint Services Agreement (JSA). But markets and allegiances change. As the JSA lost emphasis, and ultimately was dissolved, BA has moved to adjust its Asian network. Whereas BA in 2000 had 40% of its 60 weekly flights to Asia/Australia covered by the JSA, in 2014 it has only 8% of its 120 weekly Asia/Australia flights in a joint venture - and these are now to Japan, in partnership with Finnair and Japan Airlines.

BA's Asian points are now almost entirely point to point destinations, although some stopover traffic persists. Since ending of the JSA with Qantas, BA has reduced Bangkok from a 747-400 to 777-200 service, while Singapore will change to a daily A380 and 777-300ER flight and Hong Kong a daily A380 and 777-200 service. BA reports that in six months it has seen a GBP30 million improvement on its Sydney route, the second most improved route in the BA network. But this is due to a number of factors - aircraft and crewing - not related to the end of the JSA.

Like others, BA will rely increasingly on partnerships and JVs, Cathay (and still Qantas) included. And opportunities with its new oneworld partner, Qatar Airways, are yet to be exploited.