LONDON – Australian flag carrier Qantas and its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar has announced their ambitious plans to expand their network strategically with direct flights from Sydney to the Indian city of Bengaluru (Bangalore), thus making Sydney a new gateway for Indian markets.
This move has been based on the ongoing travel demand from Asian markets like India and Korea, as the Australian government has once again opened its borders to international visitors after two long years of a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the recent announcement, Qantas will be strengthening its network by adding new direct non-stop flights between Sydney and Bengaluru (Bangalore), the economic and IT hub based in southern India.
The new SYD-BLR-SYD service will be presently operating on 4 weekly flights with the possibility of additional flights post a review of the service onboard Qantas Airbus A330 jet.
Bengaluru has strengthened economic and social ties with Australia, with the highest Business and VFR passengers traveling between Australia and Bengaluru.
This has enabled Qantas to strategically start its new service between Sydney and Bengaluru as India and Australia are aiming to draft a new free trade agreement enabling business and social interaction in both nations.
Qantas presently operates flights between Melbourne and Delhi on 5 flights on weekly basis, and the new Sydney to Bengaluru service will strengthen Qantas’ network in India as this is the only carrier offering direct flights between India and Australia with connections to northern as well as southern parts.
Rise of new Codeshare – Qantas and IndiGo
As India and Australia are aiming to draft a new free trade agreement, it is evident that the aviation sector will be benefitted at both the peers, as Qantas and Indian LCC giant IndiGo has announced their new codeshare agreement, offering Qantas passenger more than 50 domestic Indian destinations from Delhi and Bengaluru.
Under the new Qantas – IndiGo codeshare agreement, Qantas passengers can avail of hassle-free transit facilities at Delhi, Bengaluru, and Singapore onwards indiGo destinations in India. The new agreement will offer Qantas passengers flight connections to major cities and tourist destinations.
Furthermore, the new codeshare agreement also asserts that the Qantas Frequent Flyers can also earn and redeem their points onboard IndiGo routes with privileges like priority check-in, additional baggage, and priority boarding kept intact.
Aiming for Korean Skies
Qantas and Jetstar have announced that both the carrier will connect Seoul, Korea with their daily services bringing Australian and Korean relations even closer. The new service is aimed at capturing business, tourists, VFR, and low-cost travel markets, thus strengthening its presence in Koran skies.
The new services between Australia and Seoul will be offered by Jetstar onboard its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, meanwhile, Qantas will connect and begin its direct connection between Sydney and Seoul onboard its Airbus A330 aircraft, marking the return of Qantas to Seoul after 14 years of a long pause.
This new launch of direct services between South Korea and Australia will strengthen the aviation economy between the two nations after a long pause as both the nations have once again opened their international borders post-pandemic, pledging to bring both the cultures close to each other and offering Australian audience a glimpse of the popularity of South Korean culture. The new Jetstar service will offer budget-friendly travelers a more convenient option to travel as this will be the only LCC service connecting both nations on the long haul portion.
Speaking on this remarkable moment, Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas Group expressed his views by saying:
“Sydney is one of the world’s truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here. It’s clear that Australia is back on the map for international travelers.”
“Demand for our international flights has rebounded since borders reopened, and that’s giving us the confidence to launch these new routes together with the marketing support from Destination New South Wales.”
Mr. Joyce further added that:
“Our new direct flights to Bengaluru, combined with the planned codeshare with IndiGo, have the potential to reshape the way many people travel between Australia and India.”
“South Korea is Australia’s fourth-largest trading partner and Koreans see Sydney as one of the top tourism destinations.”
“With expected strong business, premium leisure, and low-cost travel demand on the route, we see an opportunity for both Qantas and Jetstar to fly on the route.”
