New Route Opportunities: Ultra-Long Haul Markets Opened Up By Next Gen Aircraft
Qantas’ Group CEO Alan Joyce has said the Perth-London service commenced in 2018 has demonstrated there is “amazing demand” for non-stop services to Europe and perhaps forms the platform to establish the next frontier and help the carrier take the prize of operating the world’s longest commercial air services from 2022/2023.
Having challenged Airbus and Boeing to develop an aircraft capable of flying the additional distance needed to access the US east coast from Sydney and similar routes, the remaining issues are to establish a viable business case, agree terms with flight crews and to secure the necessary safety authorisations. A new generation of long haul aircraft and airlines are creating new route development opportunities.
- What examples of implementation of new aircraft types has been successful around the world?
- What opportunities still exist to tap into new aircraft types?
- What routes will be opened up within Australasian thanks to new aircraft technology?
- How much reliance is there on premium traffic to make ultra long haul routes sustainable?
- At what point will the traveller reject ultra long haul?
- What are ULCCs looking for in an airport?
Australia has experienced one of the highest proportions of medium/long haul international LCC operations. The LCC share of capacity from Asia and Australia more than doubled over the past ten years from just 11.9% in summer 2008/2009 to a peak of 24.3% in winter 2016. But it has subsequently shrunk as non-LCC capacity in this market grew much faster. Overall, non-stop seats into Australia from Asia this summer will increase 6.2% buoyed by a 7.8% rise in non-LCC capacity. The LCC share of capacity could consequently fall to a six-year low, based on current published schedules.
Moderator: ASM, Senior Consultant, Omar Hashmi
- Brisbane Airport Corporation, Executive General Manager, Aviation Development & Partnerships, Jim Parashos
- Executive Traveller, Editor in Chief, David Flynn
- Flair Airlines, Board Adviser, Rick Howell