I wonder if this is also in interim measure for them - that they will 'bank' the night flight slots now and then keep angling to get day return flights over the next few months?

This makes sense. I mean why would he say they were going to rush in and get more 787's, given that it would look like the whole "get 8 and test them out" story would be out the window, and given that they don't need to announce the next ones yet? There's nothing to gain and everything to lose fr...

Another factor on this point is that as SYD (and to a lesser extent MEL) approach slot capacity, this could be a method of holding high value peak landing slots to the medium term, which would then allow for long term growth given that slots are allocated with historical precedence as the highest...

The irony is that, looking at the Japanese market, Qantas literally just chose Brisbane and Melbourne on their Japanese routes to Tokyo. I don't think you can fault them for testing 3 seasonal Osaka flights from the largest city and main hub.

Wait no it doesn't - misread the dates and got excited.

Sounds like this is where the aircraft displaced from the first 787 route will go!

This would also have the additional benefit of providing an option that appeals to fliers dissatisfied with Dubai as a stopover - without requiring a large number of flights for Qantas to put onto a whole new network of flights (to a stopover and then onto the final destination). The domestic fee...

I'd say it has to do with slot availability out of HK, far as I'm aware it's been a bit of an achievement for Qantas to get 2 flights a day at all.

What if it's one of the Asian stopover Emirates flights through KL or Singapore? It would tie in well with the additional flights they were allowed earlier this week.

This has definitely been the number one route that it's surprised me that Qantas domestic hasn't returned to, so good to hear! One a day seems a bit tepid, but I guess it'll grow over time.