Gulf carriers boost their Australian flights

The big Gulf carriers are significantly boosting their Australian flights as the country prepares to open its borders to all fully vaccinated travelers. In recent days, Etihad Airways has confirmed the resumption of daily flights into Sydney and Melbourne, and Emirates is ramping up its A380 flights. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways is going daily into Brisbane, has resumed its flights to Adelaide, and eyeing Perth flights.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has confirmed it is increasing flights to Sydney and Melbourne from five days per week to daily from March 27, 2022. While frequencies are increasing, Sydney and Melbourne-bound passengers will have to make do with Boeing 787 Dreamliner services rather than the pre-travel-downturn A380 flights.

Daily Emirates A380 flights between Dubai and Melbourne have just resumed. Further north, in Sydney, the existing daily Dubai – Sydney Emirates A380 flight will be complemented by a second daily A380 service from March 2.

A little further out time-wise, Emirates has slated their A380s to resume daily Dubai – Perth flights from June 17 and daily Dubai – Brisbane flights from July 1.

Both Emirates and Qatar Airways have proved stalwarts over the past two years, maintaining flights to and from Australia while many others suspended services entirely. It looks like Qatar Airways may reap the rewards of that loyalty. They are going into Brisbane daily from March 1. simpleflying.com