As airlines continue to grapple with higher fuel costs, more carriers have reduced their Australian capacity.
Low-cost carrier T’way Air confirmed to Karryon that its Sydney-Seoul Incheon service (TW501/502) will move from three weekly flights to two between 3 June and 8 July 2026, then to one weekly flight from 10 August until 11 September 2026. It added that the timeline may change as demand evolves.
Hong Kong Airlines will also reduce its Sydney and Melbourne capacity by around 18 per cent in May and June, with global capacity dropping by around 4 per cent overall. Based on OAG data, Hong Kong Airlines will cut five Melbourne flights and six Sydney flights over that period.
Karryon has reached out to Hong Kong Airlines for comment.
Kiwi cuts
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand has also announced it has made “a small number of schedule changes for travel across July”, including Australian flights, due to the ongoing impact of high jet fuel costs.
“These consolidations affect around two per cent of passengers due to travel across this period,” a spokesperson for the carrier said.
“We’ve targeted the consolidations to minimise disruption and to ensure that the vast majority of impacted customers can still travel on the same day.
“We remain focused on keeping New Zealanders connected and maintaining a reliable, fuel-efficient schedule. Customers whose updated flight doesn’t suit their plans can choose a refund or credit.”
Dallas dropped
Elsewhere, despite seeing “strong demand” in its key markets, Fiji Airways will suspend its Nadi-Dallas service from 7 September as part of “targeted network adjustments” due to rising jet fuel costs and “evolving market conditions”.
According to the carrier, most customers can still travel on the same day via its daily Los Angeles service or via its San Francisco and Vancouver services. The airline operates up to 11 flights per week to LA and San Francisco, and offers connections through its American Airlines partnership.
“Fiji Airways has taken all necessary measures to ensure the impact on customers is kept to a minimum,” it stated.
“Customers are being contacted directly with updated travel details expected to be finalised in the near future. Flexible options, including rebooking, credit, or refunds, are available where required.”
Fiji Airways CEO and managing director Paul Scurrh said the changes allow the carrier to “focus on markets where we are seeing the strongest and most sustainable demand”.
The latest cutbacks come after Qantas and Jetstar confirmed they would extend changes on some domestic and international routes, trimming Trans-Tasman capacity while reshaping parts of their European schedules.
KARRYON UNPACKS: More cuts show fuel costs are still reshaping networks. For Aussie advisors, expect continued capacity constraints and the possibility of more rebookings, even as demand holds strong across key international routes.
