Qantas has made significant progress with its Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul initiative, as European regulators have approved a crucial aircraft modification that had previously delayed the program.
Project Sunrise aims to launch record-breaking flights from Sydney to London and New York by mid-2026. Initially announced in 2017, the project has faced nearly a decade of development and setbacks largely beyond the airline’s control.
The Australian airline had planned to order modified Airbus A350-1000s for the initiative in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put these plans on hold. Qantas eventually ordered 12 of the aircraft in 2022, with a service entry originally set for late 2025. However, a delay in February 2023 pushed this target back by about six months.
The latest delay was due to the European certification process for the modified A350-1000s. Airbus had added an extra center fuel tank as part of the long-range specifications for this aircraft. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requested a redesign of this fuel tank before granting approval.
EASA has now approved the extra fuel tank, Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson confirmed during the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Dubai. This approval has boosted the airline’s confidence in the delivery timetable for the A350-1000s.
Airbus is also positive about the progress on Project Sunrise following the fuel tank approval. The company stated that it is on track for certification of all the modifications to the aircraft and expects the first delivery in mid-2026.
Despite the delays and a leadership transition, Qantas remains enthusiastic about Project Sunrise. The project, strongly supported by former CEO Alan Joyce, continues under Hudson’s leadership, who succeeded Joyce in September. Qantas is fully committed to the ambitious plan and is eagerly anticipating its launch.
Meanwhile, Cam Wallace, Qantas CEO for international and freight, highlighted emerging economic indicators supporting the viability of Project Sunrise flights. Since the project’s inception, Qantas has added several ultra-long-haul flights using Boeing 787-9s, which have been among its most financially successful routes.
Qantas currently operates 15-17-hour flights from Perth to London and Rome, Melbourne to Dallas, and Auckland to New York. The initial Project Sunrise flights are expected to last 19-20 hours.
The Sunrise flights will enhance Qantas’ existing network and boost revenue. The airline is optimistic about the premium-dense configuration of the Sunrise aircraft, noting increasing demand for premium products on long-haul flights.
Qantas has been using its flight planning system to monitor proposed Sunrise routes, gathering data on optimal tracks based on wind and other factors. The airline is confident it can develop effective flight plans to address any airspace restrictions that may be in place when Sunrise launches. Qantas is also working with Rolls-Royce on the engine specifications for these aircraft.
Before the launch of its Sunrise routes, Qantas plans to introduce more international medium- and long-haul flights. Some of these plans stem from a new agreement with Perth Airport announced on 31 May 2024.
Qantas intends to develop Perth as its second-largest international hub. The airline is set to launch Perth-Paris flights in July and has announced routes from Perth to Johannesburg and Auckland beginning in 2025.
In the longer term, additional deliveries of 787s and A350s could facilitate new routes from Perth to Europe and Africa. The arrival of long-range Airbus A321XLRs would enable narrowbody flights from Perth to destinations such as India, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Qantas sees substantial growth potential in India. The airline operates a route from Melbourne to New Delhi and plans to increase the frequency of its Sydney-Bengaluru service. Qantas also announced an expansion of its partnership with Indian carrier IndiGo in May. India currently accounts for just 3% of Qantas’ international capacity. However, Wallace highlighted the compelling economic fundamentals in India, indicating that Qantas plans to invest more in that market.