As of 5 June 2026, Qantas continues to fly its main Australia-Europe services, but its Perth–London and Sydney-Paris routings remain adjusted because of Middle East airspace risk.
Qantas’ latest travel update says Perth-London is operating via Singapore for a fuel stop, while London-Perth continues direct. Flights to Paris are originating in Sydney and operating via Singapore instead of Perth.
Qantas has not announced a blanket cancellation of its own network, but travelers should keep checking flight status because renewed attacks around Kuwait and Bahrain have kept Gulf airspace disruption risk elevated.
What’s rerouted: Perth-London and Sydney-Paris via Singapore
The practical change is still concentrated on Qantas’ longest Europe sectors. Qantas says the adjustments are required because of current flight-path constraints, while its agency update confirms related Europe schedule changes now run through 24 October 2026.
| Route | Current status |
|---|---|
| Perth to London | Operating via Singapore for a fuel stop |
| London to Perth | Continuing to operate direct |
| Sydney to Paris | Originating in Sydney and operating via Singapore instead of Perth |
| Paris schedule | Up to five weekly services from 18 May to 26 July, then three weekly services from 27 July to 24 October 2026 |
Qantas Agency Connect also says Perth-Singapore services have increased from daily to 10 flights per week to connect with the Paris flights. Perth-Rome extra services and other selected network changes have also been extended into October.
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What’s operating normally: most Qantas-operated flights remain available
Qantas has not listed wider Qantas-operated route cancellations on its travel-updates page. Travelers should still use the airline’s flight-status tool for their specific flight, especially if the itinerary connects onward with a partner carrier through the Middle East.
No Qantas-operated flights serve the UAE, Qatar, Israel, Jordan, Oman, or Bahrain directly. Those itineraries are generally sold through partner airlines under codeshare or interline arrangements.
- Qantas-operated Europe flights: Perth-London and Sydney-Paris remain the main affected Qantas services.
- Partner Middle East flights: Check the operating airline, such as Emirates or Qatar Airways, for airport-specific disruption.
- Other Qantas flights: Check live status before departure rather than relying on a general route summary.
Why the rerouting continues after renewed Gulf attacks
The earlier recovery framing is no longer enough for travelers. Renewed attacks reported around Kuwait and Bahrain in early June have reinforced the risk of short-notice airspace restrictions, diversions, and airport disruption across parts of the Gulf.
EASA’s current Conflict Zone Information Bulletin is CZIB 2026-03-R11, active and valid until 10 June 2026 unless reviewed earlier. It recommends avoiding Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon airspace at all altitudes, and exercising caution in the airspace of Bahrain, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
For Qantas, the issue is aircraft range and contingency planning on very long sectors. A Singapore fuel stop gives the airline more operational margin while usual Middle East routings remain constrained.
Rebooking and refund options for affected passengers
Qantas’ public travel update continues to offer flexibility for customers booked through Qantas on partner services to, from, or via the UAE, Qatar, Israel, Jordan, Oman, and Bahrain. Agency Connect’s commercial policy was last updated on 29 May 2026 and covers Qantas 081 tickets under the listed conditions.
The public travel update says eligible customers booked on or before 31 May 2026 for travel between 28 February and 31 May 2026 can choose a fee-free refund, Flight Credit, or fee-free date change. The agency policy includes additional ticketing rules for agents, including authority code 460895.
- Booked directly with Qantas on an Emirates flight number: eligible fee-free changes may be available through Manage Booking and the Qantas App.
- Booked directly with Qantas on other partner services: contact Qantas to discuss changes, credits, or refunds.
- Booked through a travel agent: contact the agent first unless travel is imminent and the flight has been cancelled.
- Booked with another airline: check the operating airline’s own waiver and flight-status pages.
Australian citizens and permanent residents in the region should monitor the Smartraveller Middle East advisory. DFAT registration is open for Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qantas cancelling flights because of the renewed strikes?
Qantas has not announced a blanket cancellation of its own network. The main Qantas-operated impact remains routing changes on Perth-London and Sydney-Paris.
How long will Perth-London keep stopping in Singapore?
Qantas has not confirmed a return date for the nonstop westbound service. Its agency update says selected Europe schedule changes have been extended to 24 October 2026.
Does Qantas still fly London to Perth nonstop?
Yes, Qantas says the return service continues direct from London to Perth. The added Singapore fuel stop applies to Perth-London.
Can I get a refund if I no longer want to travel through the Middle East?
Possibly, if your booking fits Qantas’ Middle East flexibility conditions. Check whether your ticket date, travel date, route, and operating carrier match the Qantas policy before cancelling.
Does Qantas fly directly to Dubai or Doha?
No, Qantas does not operate its own flights directly to Gulf cities. It sells many Middle East itineraries through partner airlines, so the operating carrier’s status page matters.
Sources
- Qantas — Travel updates
- Qantas Agency Connect — Qantas network update
- Qantas Agency Connect — Commercial policy for customers impacted by Middle East airspace closure
- Qantas — News
- EASA — CZIB 2026-03-R11 Airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf
- Al Jazeera — Iranian drone attack kills Indian citizen in Kuwait after US strikes Qeshm
- Smartraveller — Middle East travel advice
- Australian Government DFAT — Middle East conflict crisis hub
- Emirates — Flight status
- Qatar Airways — Flight status
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
