Qantas will keep flying double daily direct flights from London to Australia via Darwin following “ongoing uncertainty” around the reopening of Western Australia’s borders.
The service was due to return to Perth in April but will continue to operate via Darwin until at least June.
The decision has been made with the West Australian government yet to confirm a reopening date for the state and uncertainty over testing requirements for passengers transiting through Singapore, according to the airline.
Qantas temporarily re-routed its Perth to London service via Darwin when international travel recommenced in November, but Western Australia remained closed.
The carrier said: “Qantas worked closely with the Northern Territory government to set up Darwin as an alternative hub, allowing passengers to arrive in or transit through the Territory capital as they returned home to Australia or travelled overseas to reunite with loved ones.
“The Perth to London service was scheduled to revert to operating via Perth in April, but with the West Australian government yet to confirm a reopening date for the state, Qantas will continue to operate the route via Darwin until at least June 2022.”
Meanwhile, All Nippon Airways’ service between London and Tokyo Haneda airport will operate daily from March 27.
The quarantine period for passengers arriving in Japan has been reduced to seven days, regardless of vaccination status.
For those arriving from the UK, the first six days must be spent in a government-provided quarantine hotel.
Non-Japanese nationals without resident permits are currently suspended from entering Japan other than in exceptional circumstances.