Emirates service reductions = big Qantas announcement?

Emirates have just announced that there will be a service reduction in November only. ADL down to 5 weekly service, EK430/431 service will be cancelled in BNE and SYD will have an A380 service downgraded to 77W.

Whilst this does correspond to scheduled downtime in the EK fleet, there are murmurings that this will also constitute a trial of the possible fleet deployment next year - in anticipation of a relatively large QF 787 order that will allegedly come next AGM (with possible Sunrise tidbits).

Pundits have already predicted a shrinking presence from Middle Eastern airlines due to the falling oil price, however the rumours regarding QF 787 deployment to Europe to fill in the gaps(unknown if this will be ex PER or SIN) are certainly starting to spread around airline ops rooms!

There will be another 787 order for delivery in 2021 as the current 14 don't fill all the gaps, Paris, joburg et al. Also by 2022 they will need some 78-10s to replace the A333s. Now these can be announced any time in the next year or so. Project sunrise will be later probably in January, as they are assessing bids now. The 778 delay leans it to the A350-1000, but we shall see. My feeling is they will do most announcements in 2020 the 100th anniversary. What EK does is about the global economy and recessed demand, not QFs next fleet orders which won't come to pass until 2021. Next year's I think are all announced unless you are thinking late next year. Cash flow is the issue and they won't announce earlier than they need to and 2020 for announcements makes more sense.

EK downgrading ADL (my home) is a bugger. I must admit I've only flown it once - but the 777-200LR with the newer cabin wasn't completely terrible. Given that QF hasn't flown internationally out of ADL since 2013, perhaps this could be an opportunity for QF to step up and serve SA they way they should. Maybe it could be considered “baby steps” but perhaps a couple of times a week ADL to LHR/CDG/FRA could be a great option. Maybe on the days EK isn't serving ADL?

Simon I think ADL will get the A321XLR to Singapore when it comes to pass in QF colours, which the earliest will be 2022 I think they said. EK has a hub to work through while QF has a mini hub at best in Singapore. They would like Perth to be one but Perth airport wants to charge too much.

What Sydney flights and when are Emirates changing the 77W to A380?

Sydney flights EK416/417 are listed as changing from a 77W to A380 from December