Qantas and Jetstar Extend Domestic Flight Cuts Until End of September

A Jetstar Airlines Boeing 787-8 plane and a Qantas Airways Boeing 737-800 plane line up with other aircraft on the runway at Sydney International Airport on a windy day in Sydney on June 25, 2025. According to local media, Airservices Australia has ordered Sydney Airport to shut two of its three runways, leading to a number of flight delays and cancellations due to high winds. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)

By Monica O’Shea

Monica O’Shea

Monica O’Shea is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked as a reporter for Motley Fool Australia, Daily Mail Australia, and Fairfax Regional Media. She can be reached at monica.o'shea@epochtimes.com.au

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May 1, 2026Updated: May 1, 2026

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Australia’s flag carrier Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar have prolonged their domestic flight cuts until the end of September amid high fuel prices.

This follows the airline’s announcement in April of a 5 percent reduction in domestic capacity for May and June, affecting routes between major capital cities.

“The Qantas group continues to take action to mitigate the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, including sustained high fuel costs, and respond to continued strong demand for travel to Europe,” the company said on May 1.

“Given fuel prices remain significantly elevated, the group has extended previously announced schedule changes across its international and domestic network between July and September.”

Qantas and Jetstar will also reduce capacity on trans-Tasman flights to New Zealand and temporarily suspend flights between Sydney and Bengaluru in India.

However, Australia’s largest airline will boost capacity on flights to Europe including the Perth to Rome flight route.

“Qantas’ additional Perth-Rome flights have been extended another three months, until the end of October,” it said.

From August, flights to Paris will revert to three weekly return services from Sydney via Singapore. Overall, the changes will add about 2,000 extra seats to and from Europe each week.

For domestic customers affected by Qantas’ new policy, the airline will offer refunds and alternative flights.

Government Secures Extra Jet Fuel

Qantas’ announcement comes as the Albanese Labor government announced it had secured an additional 100 million litres of jet fuel and 50 million litres of diesel via three new shipments.

Tourism and Trade Minister Don Farrell said this would give Australians the “peace of mind” they need to travel, see their loved ones and keep exploring our “vast and beautiful country.”

“This additional 100 million litres of jet fuel to Perth and Brisbane and 50 million litres of diesel to Darwin will keep our FIFO [fly-in, fly-out] workers flying, our truckers driving, and our nation moving,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also noted that, with the new shipments and eight previously announced deliveries, the government has secured more than 450 million litres of diesel and 100 million litres of jet fuel to “keep Australia moving” through May and June.

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