(TAN): Qantas last week launched a new route from Sydney to Bengaluru, establishing the first direct connection between Australia and Southern India by any airline, it said in a news release.
QF67 will cut nearly three hours off the current fastest travel time between the two cities and significantly boost connectivity between India and New South Wales.
Since the announcement of the new service earlier this year, the route has seen strong demand, with both the outbound and inbound inaugural flights sold out in all cabins, Qantas said.
Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said the flights will boost tourism and economic relations and open opportunities between Australia and India. “The addition of Bengaluru to our route map deepens our ties with India and follows the launch of direct services from Australia to Delhi last year which have also proven popular. Qantas is now the only airline offering direct flights between Australia’s two largest cities and the north and south of India,” he said.
Australian Tourism Minister Ben Franklin said the new direct flight route solidifies Sydney’s standing as a global city.
“This partnership between Qantas and the NSW Government, through the Aviation Attraction Fund, opens up a new direct route between India and NSW, as well as fantastic opportunities for the NSW visitor economy,” Franklin said. “Our airports are the gateway to our state, so supporting the return of airlines to them through the Aviation Attraction Fund is key to achieving our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”
Qantas has recently launched the first phase of its codeshare partnership with IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier. There are currently 11 destinations available for connection on IndiGo from Bengaluru, including Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata and Chennai. The codeshare will continue to roll out over coming months, broadening access for Qantas customers travelling throughout India.
Qantas is flying an A330 aircraft from Sydney to Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport four times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Qantas flies Melbourne to Delhi on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
