In contrast, Emirates flies directly to more than 30 European destinations from Dubai, which would bring more cities within reach of one-stop service. Qantas would presumably be able to scale back or eliminate its own Frankfurt – and possibly London – flights.

Qantas has said that its international strategy is to rely more heavily on partner airlines. Its rival Virgin Australia has already been pursuing this strategy, forming close partnerships with overseas airlines to establish a “virtual network,” with only a small international fleet of its own. For European services, Virgin Australia is allied with Etihad Airways.

Etihad code shared with Qantas before it signed its strategic partnership deal with Virgin Australia in 2010. At that time, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said his carrier had turned down Etihad’s overtures for a closer alliance. He said that Qantas was happy to rely on its British Airways relationship for its European links.