4 Feb 2013

Qantas outlines new Asian strategy

1:03 pm on 4 February 2013

Qantas wants to increase the number of destinations it flies to in Asia as part of its new alliance with Emirates, and provide more frequent services to cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

The airline on Monday outlined a new strategy for the Asian market.

AAP reports new destinations being considered include Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo-Haneda.

Qantas also plans to provide more frequent flights to Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as change the time of those flights and increase capacity on those routes.

The airline says it hopes to expand its network within Asia by working with Japan Airlines, China Eastern, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines.

The improvements to its Asian services will begin on 31 March and will be rolled out in four phases.

Qantas International chief executive Simon Hickey said the changes mean Qantas services to Asia are no longer tied to onward links to Europe.

From 31 March, Qantas will increase capacity on flights to Hong Kong and Singapore by between 10% - 40%, respectively. More flights would also be available on the Qantas-Emirates network.

Qantas will also schedule earlier arrival times into Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore, with flights brought forward by up to three hours to increase the number of onward connections.

Qantas shares were down one cent at $A1.53 at 1023 AEDT on Monday.