Qantas has decided to suspend its nonstop flights between Melbourne and Delhi. The airline, which started this route in December 2021, is now facing operational and market challenges. Despite the huge potential of the Indian travel market, foreign carriers struggle to establish long-term success.
The last Qantas flight on this route will depart on May 31. The airline plans to resume services on October 27, 2025. During this break, business-class passengers will be rerouted via Hong Kong, while economy passengers will travel through Singapore. Qantas remains committed to the Indian market and will continue operating flights to Bengaluru and codeshare services through Singapore.
The Airbus A330-200 has been the backbone of this route. This aircraft, which has served the Melbourne-Delhi journey for over two years, is now needed elsewhere. Qantas currently has a fleet of 26 A330 aircraft, including models leased from Finnair. These leased aircraft operate on routes between Australia, Singapore, and Bangkok. However, an ongoing dispute with Finnair pilots has caused operational concerns.
Qantas initially agreed to a two-year wet lease with Finnair, including aircraft and crew. The contract will transition to a dry lease by late 2025, meaning Qantas pilots will take over operations. If the Finnair dispute continues, Qantas might speed up this transition to avoid disruptions.
This suspension comes as another major airline, Air India, is also adjusting its operations. Air India will halt its Melbourne-Mumbai service from March 28 to mid-September 2025. After Qantas suspends its Melbourne-Delhi flights, Air India will be the only airline providing direct flights on this route. The shifting market dynamics show how competitive and unpredictable the Australia-India aviation sector has become.
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