Qantas cancelled flights partly to retain takeoff and landing slots at Sydney airport, ACCC claims

The ACCC allegation bolsters critics’ claims that Qantas has been scheduling then cancelling domestic flights out of Sydney airport to prevent competitors from introducing rival services. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Qantas cancelled flights to retain takeoff and landing slots at Sydney airport, among a raft of other reasons that were “within its control”, an in-depth investigation conducted by Australia’s competition watchdog has alleged.

The allegation levelled by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, bolsters claims from critics that Qantas and its budget carrier Jetstar have been strategically scheduling then cancelling domestic flights out of Sydney airport to prevent competitors from introducing rival services.