Crisis posed by the pandemic is over, says Australian airline Qantas

One of the world’s leading airlines has said the ‘existential crisis posed by the pandemic’ is over as planes return to the skies.

Even as it racked up another year of losses, Australian carrier Qantas said demand was on the rise in a clear sign the worst of the Covid-19 debacle was behind it.

Air New Zealand – which also posted another annual loss – was also in an upbeat mood as it reported ‘a very strong recovery in bookings and revenues’ since March.

Australia and New Zealand had some of the world’s strictest pandemic travel restrictions – hitting demand for flights and hammering their economies.

Qantas said its losses widened to £1.1billion in the year to the end of June while Air New Zealand was in the red to the tune of £380million.

But Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said a recovery was now under way.