John Simeone, Qantas' senior vice president for Asia, has returned to
Singapore to oversee the commercial, financial, and operational
performance of Qantas across its Asian markets.
With an expanded role that now includes Japan, India, and South
Korea, Simeone brings almost 30 years of aviation industry experience,
encompassing commercial, sales, network planning, tourism development,
and operations.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Simeone emphasised the importance of Asia
to Qantas both geographically and commercially. “With international
travel rebounding so strongly, our teams are focused on reconnecting
with our key partners and customers across the region,” he said.
In addition, Simeone will collaborate with trade partners to
implement the Qantas Distribution Platform in Asia. The platform aims to
enhance the service that agents provide to customers, with a wider
range of products, including special offers for Qantas Frequent Flyers,
ancillary products and dynamic commission opportunities.
Renewed push into Asia
The airline also operates daily A380 services between Singapore and London.
Qantas is stepping up its recovery from the pandemic with the expansion of its international network into new markets.
The airline currently operates more than 110 return services per week
between Asia and Australia with a mix of A380, A330, 787, 737 and E190
aircraft. It is also operating daily A380 services between Singapore and
London, and continuing to upgrade the cabins of its A380 aircraft.
Qantas has recently rolled out a multi-million-dollar investment in
new menus, larger meals and premium produce across all cabins in its
regional, domestic and international network.
In the past few months, the airline has launched new routes,
including from Seoul to Sydney and Jakarta to Melbourne. Flights from
Tokyo to Melbourne and Brisbane and from Hong Kong to Melbourne have
resumed for the first time since before the pandemic.
The airline is also adding more flights from Asia to Australia from
later this year as it restores capacity in line with strong travel
demand and the broader recovery of the aviation industry.
From late October 2023:
- Shanghai-Sydney will resume for the first time in more than three years with daily A330 flights.
- Hong Kong-Melbourne will increase from four per week to daily.
- Flights from Japan to Australia will double, increasing from 14 to
28 per week, offering the choice of four daily flights from Tokyo from
late November.
- Delhi-Melbourne will increase from three to six per week over the peak Australian summer season.
- Singapore-Melbourne will increase from 10 to 14 per week from 31 March 2024.
- Singapore-Sydney will increase from 14 to 15 per week from 31 March 2024.