Qantas Moves International Jets to Domestic Operations

Qantas Airways said today that it would move three 737, six 767 and three 747 Qantas aircraft from international to domestic operations, beginning next week.

"These 12 aircraft have a total of more than 2,500 seats and will provide an additional 18,000 seats per day for our Australian domestic operations," Mr Dixon said.

"Qantas will rearrange its international schedules, with assistance from partner airlines, to enable this substantial increase in domestic capacity," Mr Dixon said.

Qantas also met today with representatives of Boeing and Airbus to discuss the purchase and long term lease of aircraft for its domestic operations.

"We will make a firm decision on these aircraft after a detailed assessment of international economic conditions and the overall difficulties in the aviation industry," Mr Dixon said.

The extra capacity announced today is in addition to the 275 additional domestic flights and 109 flights with larger aircraft that Qantas has operated since the suspension of Ansett services on 14 September.

Qantas has carried about 150,000 passengers more than usual since 14 September, with more than 45,000 Ansett passengers carried free of charge and over 40,000 on special discount fares.

Qantas has also introduced 747 capacity on Sydney-Perth, Melbourne-Perth and Sydney-Cairns this week and additional 767 Brisbane-Melbourne return services on Thursday and Friday to help meet the strong demand for travel to Melbourne for this week's AFL grand final.

Mr Dixon said Qantas had not increased fares since Ansett suspended its services.

"Seats are always hard to come by during school holidays and football finals," Mr Dixon said. "The suspension of Ansett services has obviously compounded the situation.

"Qantas has not raised any of its fares over the past fortnight, it's just that all the discount fares have been purchased for the next week or two. The carriage of returning Ansett passengers also used up many discount fare seats.

"However deep discount fares, including $88 internet fares and $220 return fares Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Brisbane, are still available for travel in mid and late October, although we expect these to sell very quickly."