[2021] IASC R01

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On 28 October 2019, the International Air Services Commission (the Commission) issued 
Determination [2019] IASC 118 (the Determination) allocating one frequency per day in each 
direction to Qantas Airways Limited (Qantas) on the Japan route to serve Tokyo-Haneda 
Airport. The Determination includes several conditions including the requirement for the 
capacity to be utilised from no later than 29 March 2020 or from such other date approved by 
the Commission. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacts, including current travel restrictions put in place by 
the Australian Government in March 2020, Qantas was not able to commence the new 
services to and from Tokyo-Haneda as originally planned. In light of this, upon the request 
of Qantas, the Commission issued Resolutions [2020] IASC R06 and [2020] IASC R08 
extending the date of commencement of use of the capacity by Qantas. On 11 March 2021, 
Qantas wrote to the Commission seeking a further extension of the date of commencing the 
utilisation of the capacity from 31 March 2021 to 31 October 2021. 

Qantas stated in its application that the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Greg 
Hunt MP announced on 3 March 2021 that international borders would remain closed until at 
least 17 June 2021, and that Qantas received further guidance that international borders are 
likely to remain closed until the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out across the Australian 
population (October 2021). 

The Commission recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions 
imposed by various countries, has seriously disrupted the international operations of airlines 
worldwide. 

In light of these extraordinary circumstances, the Commission issues Resolution [2021] IASC 
R01 to provide that the capacity issued under Determination [2019] IASC 118 is to be 
utilised from no later than 31 October 2021, or such other date approved by the Commission. 
The Commission will continue to monitor the airline’s ability to utilise the capacity on the 
route. 

Dated: 23 March 2021

Ian Douglas - Chairperson

Karen Gosling - Commissioner