Qatar Airways Utilizes Unique Strategy to Navigate Strict Australian Aviation Regulations

Qatar Airways has reportedly been operating nearly empty flights between Melbourne and Adelaide as a means to navigate Australia’s stringent aviation regulations, as detailed in a report by The Guardian. The state-owned airline, owned by the Qatari government, has leveraged a legal loophole to conduct additional flights to Australia, designating Adelaide as both the arrival and departure point despite most passengers disembarking in Melbourne.

Since November 2022, Qatar Airways has been running these unconventional flights, commonly referred to as ‘ghost flights,’ even after the Albanese government declined its proposal to expand flights due to national interest concerns. Although the airline is subject to a cap of 28 weekly services into Australia’s major airports—Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth—no such limit applies to smaller airports like Adelaide.

These ‘ghost flights’ involve deploying 354-seat Boeing 777-300ERs between Melbourne and Adelaide, sometimes with no passengers on board. The airline is prohibited from selling tickets on this domestic leg to Australian passengers, catering only to a handful of international passengers who opt for the two-stop route over the direct Adelaide-Doha flight, also offered by Qatar Airways.

Industry insiders quoted in the report criticize Qatar Airways for exploiting Australia’s aviation rules, describing its ‘ghost flights’ as both wasteful and environmentally detrimental. On the other hand, a spokesperson from Qatar Airways defends the airline’s actions, highlighting its contribution in providing essential travel options for Australians during the pandemic.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, theguardian.com, firstpost.com