Qatar Airways to return to Canberra

[David C]

As of Oct 1st , Qatar Airways will be returning to Canberra . It will operate a Doha - Melbourne - Canberra service with a B777-300ER on a daily basis , the flight being QR988/ 989 . It previously operated a Doha - Sydney - Canberra service .

Dave C

[Kent Broadhead]

It has been suggested that both Vic and the ACT used their attraction funds for this flight and tag that would have previously been the DOH-SYD-CBR-SYD-DOH A35K rotation.

It also suggests that the A380 will continue for SYD.

[James Smith]

The arrival flight time, especially into Canberra is not very friendly. Arrival MEL 23:05; departs MEL 00:35; with arrival in CBR 01:50. Afternoon departure is much more convenient with the aircraft on the ground in CBR for over 12 hours.

More details of the new flight here:

https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-boosts-australia-schedules/

Source: Simple Flying

[Alex Lui]

During the World Cup though, the flight to Canberra will switch to QR904 / QR905, which friendlier arrival / departure times in Canberra.

QR904 - DOH 1840 - 1855+1 CBR with stopover in Melbourne
QR905 - CBR 2025 - 0535+1 DOH with stopover in Melbourne

More reasonable arrival time and departure time I reckon.

[David C]

It’s amazing I think , how the previous long layover at CBR was an uneconomical issue , however, now it’s acceptable to QR because of a “ strategic agreement “ with the VIC government. What’s they mean ? . Also it’s stated CBR offers great connections , who’s going to connect anywhere at 0200 hrs .

Dave C

[James Smith]

Yes, I noticed the spin too. Just write the script to fit the circumstance, no matter if it contradicts previous comments. I presume that the Victorian and ACT "attraction" funds must be pretty substantial.

[Stefan Perkas]

Afternoon all,

Looks like Qatar has scrapped the Canberra flight. The 2nd daily flight to Melbourne will still go ahead, unsure of the new stopover point.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qatar-canberra-flights?fbclid=IwAR2f5CIQzHp-9FD1gOErzYe-CUdMPauPn-2wG2Ax8CaxuUTeCLXoieq5NOw

[James Smith]

Has Qatar been granted an increase in its Australian capacity to allow the second flight into MEL to continue without the CBR extension?

[MarkR]

Has Qatar been granted an increase in its Australian capacity to allow the second flight into MEL to continue without the CBR extension?

The register of capacity is offline so cant check, I thought it was open skies = no limit but not sure.

[Stefan Perkas]

Has Qatar been granted an increase in its Australian capacity to allow the second flight into MEL to continue without the CBR extension?

It looks like Adelaide is the connecting point according to the QR cargo website. The aircraft will route DOH-MEL-ADL-MEL-DOH. The Adelaide leg is cargo/ferry only, not a passenger service like the planned Canberra flight.

[James Smith]

I just did a flight search on the Qatar Airways website and both QR988/989 and QR904/905 are showing as non stop from DOH to MEL and return. To and from CBR is showing as a domestic connection, so the Qatar booking system has been updated.

I see now that the ADL connection is MEL-ADL-MEL with freight only after QR988 arrives in MEL and later departs from MEL as QR989. One would think that the use of a secondary Australian airport would need to carry passengers but if not, has Qatar got around a loophole in the restrictions?

[Rowan McKeever]

The restrictions in the bilateral relate to 'combined passenger and freight services- as do most bilaterals. As long as the aircraft is carrying a commercial load, it's within the restrictions.

[MarkR]

As of Aug 30: DESIGNATION STATUS: MULTIPLE
AVAILABLE CAPACITY:
PASSENGER CAPACITY:
To/from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth:
28 frequencies in each direction per week with any aircraft type
In addition , a total of seven (7) frequencies per week with any aircraft type between Qatar and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth provided such services operate via or beyond to a point in Australia other than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
To/from any point in Australia other than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth:
Unrestricted frequencies with any aircraft type.

[Kim F]

Qatar have announced postponing the Canberra flights until early December/

[James Smith]

From Aeroroutes dated 27 October, 2022:

Qatar Airways in recent update closed reservation for planned service to Canberra, scheduled to resume on 30NOV22 from Doha. The oneWorld member previously planned to operate Doha – Melbourne – Canberra routing.

For Northern summer 2023 season from 26MAR23, reservation for Canberra is also not available. Qatar Airways will continue to operate 2 daily Doha – Melbourne flights with 777-300ER.