Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced its intention to terminate its long-haul flight operations between Singapore and Melbourne, Australia. The final termination date will be determined after the airline receives a final assessment from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS). This decision marks the end of a route that Emirates has serviced since 1996, with a three-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic.
## Background
The termination request is part of an assessment that will detail the impact of Emirates being released from its capacity commitments set out in an alliance with Qantas. Emirates will no longer operate its own planes between Singapore and Australia but will continue to offer direct flights between Melbourne and Singapore through a codeshare arrangement with Qantas. Codesharing allows airlines to carry passengers whose tickets have been issued by another airline, with the flight number of the booking airline appearing on the ticket, even if some legs of the trip are operated by a different airline.
## Commitment with Qantas
Emirates’ alliance with Qantas has been a significant factor in its operations. The codeshare agreement means that while Emirates will cease its own flights, passengers can still book direct flights between Melbourne and Singapore via Qantas. This cooperative arrangement ensures that the route remains serviced, albeit not directly by Emirates aircraft.
## Request to terminate
In a press release dated August 8, CCCS confirmed that Emirates had requested to terminate its operations on the Singapore-Melbourne route. The airline cited the “highly competitive nature of services to and from Singapore” as a primary reason for this decision. Competitors on this route include Singapore Airlines, which operates five flights daily, Qantas with two flights, and Turkish Airlines, Jetstar, and Scoot, each operating one flight daily. Emirates itself currently operates one flight daily on this route.
## Competitive landscape
The competitive landscape on the Singapore-Melbourne route has intensified, with multiple airlines vying for market share. Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Jetstar, Turkish Airlines, and Scoot all provide daily services, making it a crowded market. Emirates’ decision to withdraw can be seen as a strategic move to focus on more profitable routes or to reallocate resources more efficiently.
## Historical context
This is not the first time Emirates has pulled out of an Australian route. In 2019, the airline applied to terminate flights between Singapore and Brisbane. The current decision to cease operations between Singapore and Melbourne follows a similar pattern, reflecting the airline’s ongoing strategy to optimise its route network in response to market conditions.
## Future implications
The termination of Emirates’ flights between Singapore and Melbourne could have broader implications for the airline’s operations in the region. It may lead to increased reliance on codeshare agreements and partnerships to maintain a presence in competitive markets. Passengers can expect to see more collaborative efforts between airlines as they navigate the complexities of international travel and market competition.
Emirates’ decision underscores the dynamic nature of the aviation industry, where airlines must continually adapt to changing market conditions and competitive pressures. The final assessment from CCCS will provide further clarity on the future of this route and the broader implications for Emirates’ operations in the region.
