Dubai Airport repairs to hit Qantas flights
It has emerged that Dubai Airport told Qantas in late April that it proposed halving the number of flights it could operate there while major construction work was carried out on two runways.
The runway closures also threaten to reduce the number of flights that Qantas' alliance partner, Emirates, can operate between its home base and Australia. Between them, Qantas and Emirates control more than half of the market share of passengers who fly between Australia and Europe.
With it showing the strain from an influx of large aircraft such as A380s, the airport is carrying out extensive repair work from next May, including laying 180,000 tonnes of asphalt on its northern runway. This period takes in the busy European summer.
Qantas has been lobbying Dubai officials to retain all of its 28 weekly landing slots during construction, and senior executives are in the city this week to again press the point.
The airline has ruled out diverting flights to other airports such as Dubai's Jebel Ali, which is still under construction and only recently began taking passenger flights.
Since the draft proposal was released, Qantas said the number of landing slots it could use had risen, but it declined to put a figure on it. The airline emphasised that it was "much closer" to gaining the 28 weekly slots it needs to operate its twice daily return services to London via Dubai.
Qantas International acting chief executive Narendra Kumar said it was in talks with its alliance partner, Emirates, and the airport "about minimising the impact the runway works will have on our operations".
Mr Kumar said he expected Qantas to have its allocation of landing slots for the three-month period finalised in the next few weeks.
Under the draft proposal, Emirates faces a 22 per cent reduction in services - or 5825 departures - from Dubai Airport to destinations around the world during the three-month construction period. Emirates declined to say what impact it would have on Australia-Dubai flights, but conceded that it would have to reduce operations across its network to reflect a drop in the airport's capacity.
Any disruption during the busy northern hemisphere summer - when Australians flock to Europe - will be a boost to Qantas' rivals.
Richard Woodward, a Qantas A380 captain and vice-president of the pilots union, said Dubai Airport was facing the consequences of a rapid increase in flights, especially large aircraft such as A380s which placed more pressure on runways.
"Dubai is getting busier by the second," he said.
mosullivan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Dubai Airport is planning major repair work on two runways, including laying about 180,000 tonnes of asphalt on its northern runway. The work is to fix deterioration caused in part by a rapid increase in traffic and heavy use from large aircraft such as A380s.
Under a draft proposal, Dubai Airport told Qantas it might have to halve the number of flights it can operate there during the three-month construction period next year. Qantas is lobbying to retain its 28 weekly landing slots and says it is now "much closer" to securing the slots needed for twice-daily return services via Dubai.
The extensive repairs are scheduled to begin next May and run for about three months, which covers the busy northern hemisphere summer period when travel between Australia and Europe peaks.
Qantas has ruled out diverting flights to Jebel Ali. The airport there is still under construction and has only recently started taking passenger flights, so Qantas is focusing on keeping its slots at Dubai Airport.
Emirates faces a proposed 22% reduction in services—about 5,825 departures—across its network during the three-month works. Together Qantas and Emirates control more than half the market share for passengers flying between Australia and Europe, so reduced capacity at Dubai could disrupt routes and create opportunities for rival carriers.
Qantas has been lobbying Dubai officials to retain all 28 weekly landing slots, with senior executives in Dubai to press the case. Qantas International acting CEO Narendra Kumar says the airline is in talks with Emirates and the airport to minimise operational impacts and expects slot allocations to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Pilots and union representatives say Dubai Airport has come under strain from a rapid increase in flights, especially the higher usage and weight of large aircraft like the A380, which place extra pressure on runway surfaces.
Investors may want to follow the final slot-allocation outcome, announcements from Qantas and Emirates about schedule changes, and the confirmed duration of the three-month works. Any sustained reduction in capacity through Dubai during the peak European summer could affect airline operations and competitive dynamics on Australia–Europe routes.
Call 1300 880 160
Start a chat
Schedule a call
