Qatar Airways to return to Canberra

[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.