Qantas will suspend its Alice Springs-Melbourne service and reduce Darwin-Singapore flying to the dry season, citing weak demand and rising costs. Affected customers will be offered alternative flights or refunds.
Qantas is suspending its Alice Springs-Melbourne service and reducing Darwin-Singapore flying after saying demand has not been strong enough to support the routes.
The airline said the changes follow weak bookings and rising operating costs, even after it put a newer aircraft on the Alice Springs route and ran fare sales to try to lift demand.
Alice Springs-Melbourne service
Qantas will indefinitely suspend the four-times-weekly Alice Springs-Melbourne service, which currently uses Airbus A220 aircraft.
The airline said some flights on the route have been running less than half full. It said Alice Springs passengers will still be able to reach Melbourne through connecting itineraries via Sydney and Adelaide.
Darwin-Singapore changes
Qantas will also pause Darwin-Singapore flying from 25 October 2026.
The route is set to return only during Darwin's dry season, from 12 June 2027 to 21 August 2027, if the current plan holds. Qantas said the reduction means Singapore Airlines will remain the only regular direct operator on the city pair.
What happens to booked passengers
Qantas said customers with affected bookings will be contacted and offered alternative flights or refunds.
The changes add to pressure on direct air links in the Northern Territory, where travellers may face longer journeys and more dependence on connecting services.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.