Australia's Qantas Airways plans capacity increases on 19 domestic routes from 29 March 2010, adding to planned capacity increases at low cost unit Jetstar.

"We are seeing some improvements in domestic demand, and so the time is right to begin restoring capacity to ensure we are well placed to meet that demand," says Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. He says the increases will add over 340,000 seats.

Routes that will see increased frequencies include Brisbane-Sydney, which will see six additional weekly services from 140 now, and Adelaide-Melbourne, which will see three additional weekly services from 64 now.

On other routes, capacity will be restored by upgrading Boeing 737 aircraft to 767s. Routes that will be operated with 767s from 29 March 2010 include Brisbane-Cairns and Brisbane-Melbourne.

On 10 December, Jetstar said it plans to increase frequency on 11 domestic routes, adding 77 new weekly return services.

Jetstar's increased frequencies will be effective between March and July 2020, and mainly include more flights from Melbourne and Sydney to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Newcastle, and Tasmania.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news