Qantas reduces frequencies on SA route

QANTAS will reduce frequencies on its Sydney-Johannesburg service from five to four a week from February 8 2002, according to Michaela Messner-Myburgh, sales manager Southern Africa. The Australian carrier, however, remains committed to this market and thanks the trade for its support. According to reports, the carrier will also stop flying to New York because of the collapse in international travel and reduce services to other international destinations including Rome, Bangkok, Manila and Buenos Aires. It will cut up to 2 000 jobs by year-end. Qantas claims last financial year 78% of its profits came from international business, with the upswing in domestic business following the collapse of Ansett not fully offsetting the international decline. The reduction on the SA route, says Michaela, is in line with the demand for travel during off peak periods. “Consideration will be given for the duration of high peak periods to increase the frequency back to five per week.” *It’s now estimated that airlines and aircraft manufacturers have shed more than 250 000 staff in the last eight weeks. International traffic levels have declined market by market by between 10% and 20%. (Kim Cochrane)