Melbourne-Sydney flights slashed as border closes again
The world’s second busiest air route will be heavily affected as the New South Wales-Victoria border shutdown takes effect.
The Sydney-Melbourne air corridor sees more than 50,000 flights a year with one taking off every 15 minutes on average.
It is also the world’s second most profitable route according to OAG, but that has come to an end due to the state border closure.
It will hit the tourism industry and business travel hard too.
Qantas said it would continue operating Sydney-Melbourne flights, although there will be much fewer services.
NSW imposed a ban on firstly Melbourne residents and then residents across Victoria.
The route was already operating well below normal levels due to the pandemic.
"Qantas and Jetstar are significantly reducing flights to and from Melbourne following the decision to close the NSW border," Qantas said.
"We’ll continue to operate limited flights for essential travel only."
Virgin Australia said: "We’re reviewing our flight schedule for services between Sydney and Melbourne following the State Governments’ decision to close the border. We’ll contact passengers directly if there’s any change to their flight."
Inbound international flights to Melbourne have already been suspended with most rerouted to Sydney.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a return to stage three lockdown for much of Melbourne.
The city recorded another one-day high of 191 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
"These are unsustainably high numbers of new cases," Andrews said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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