Qantas to Shake Up Japan Travel with New Haneda Flights

In a significant move set to transform travel between Australia and Japan, Qantas has announced plans to shift its Melbourne and Brisbane flights from Tokyo Narita Airport to Tokyo Haneda Airport by early 2025. This change comes on the heels of the International Air Services Commission (IASC) granting Qantas an additional daily flight slot to Haneda, effective from 25 February 2025, for five years.

New Opportunities for Travelers

The new slot allows Qantas to introduce a third daily service between Australia and Haneda, which is conveniently located on the outskirts of downtown Tokyo, unlike Narita, which is over 60 kilometres from the city centre. Currently, Qantas operates two daily flights from Sydney to Haneda and one daily from Melbourne and Brisbane to Narita. With the new slot, Qantas plans to operate one flight each from Brisbane and Melbourne to Haneda and swap one of its Sydney flights to Narita, ensuring coverage of both airports from Sydney.

Awaiting Final Approvals

While the IASC determination is a significant step forward, Qantas still needs to secure the necessary slots at Haneda. The airline is optimistic, however, and plans to put these new flights on sale by the end of the year, aiming to meet the growing demand for travel to Japan.

Expanding Fleet and Services

Qantas applied for the additional slot on 16 September 2024 to start the new services on 30 March 2025. The airline plans to use its Airbus A330 aircraft, which can accommodate 297 passengers, for these routes. The capacity must be fully utilised by 30 April 2025 and can be shared with Qantas subsidiaries, including the low-cost carrier Jetstar. Currently, Jetstar operates daily flights from Brisbane and Cairns to Narita and 11 weekly flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns to Osaka.

A Word from Qantas International CEO

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace expressed his satisfaction with the IASC’s decision: “With this third frequency, we plan to be the only airline to connect Australia’s three major east coast cities with Haneda Airport – right in the heart of downtown Tokyo. Japan is an incredibly popular destination for Australians, and we see strong demand for our services. These new flights will make it easier for Qantas customers to get to Tokyo.”

Looking Ahead

As Qantas awaits final slot approvals, the airline’s plans to enhance connectivity between Australia and Japan are underway. This strategic move caters to the increasing demand for travel to Japan and positions Qantas as a key player in the Australia-Japan travel market. Keep an eye out for these new flights, which are expected to go on sale towards the end of the year, offering more convenience and options for travellers heading to Tokyo.