Qantas and Jetstar to cut the number of flights and increase the price of fares
Qantas has unveiled plans to increase fares and cut flights across Australia as fuel costs continue to soar.
The airline announced it would trim domestic services across Qantas and Jetstar by four per cent in early 2027 as higher oil prices due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East weigh on profitability.
The cuts will affect both Qantas and its budget carrier Jetstar.
The four per cent drop in domestic flights is double than the two per cent decline initially forecast in August.
Soaring fuel prices have pushed Qantas’ projected fuel bill for the second half of 2026 to $3.75billion, $150million above earlier estimates.
Qantas said it ‘has and will continue to adjust fares and capacity in response to higher fuel costs’ and expects fuel prices to remain high in 2027.
Despite cuts to domestic services, Qantas will expand its international routes by one per cent.
‘Demand remains resilient as customers continue to prioritise travel,’ Qantas said.
Qantas (cabin crew pictured) has unveiled plans to increase fares and cut domestic flights
Soaring fuel prices have pushed Qantas’ projected fuel bill for the second half of 2026 to $3.75billion, $150million above earlier estimates
‘International demand across Qantas and Jetstar remains strong, supported by customers redirecting travel away from the Middle East.
‘Domestic leisure demand remains strong. Non-resources corporate and government travel remains stable and is being closely monitored.’
Qantas noted that group domestic and International total unit revenue are each expected to grow by 8 to 10 per cent in the first half of 2027.
Th news came on the same day Qanats announced the launch of direct non-stop flights to South Africa, which will take off for the first time in October 2027.
