Qantas pushes Rome: Fiumicino becomes even more central while avoiding Middle East

For years, when it came to flights between Australia and Europe, the script was always the same: it was through the Middle East. Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi.

It was the most comfortable, most logical, almost obligatory path. Now, however, that script is being rewritten, and within this new geography of the sky, Rome takes an increasingly heavy role.

In fact, Qantas has decided to increase capacity to Europe, and one of the key points of this strategy is precisely Fiumicino, with the connection between Perth and Rome becoming even more important as major Gulf hubs lose centrality due to tensions in the area.

Rome is not a last-minute choice

The interesting thing is that Rome was not pulled out of the hat now as an emergency solution. Qantas had long ago decided to focus heavily on the Italian capital.

In the past few months, in fact, the Australian company had announced that it was going to lengthen by eight weeks the season of flight Perth-Rome for 2026, extending it from the May 3 to Oct. 23, and to want to increase the frequencies from three to four flights per week In the heart of summer, between the June 27 and September 26, 2026. In short, the plan was already clear: Rome was a route to invest in, well before the situation in the Middle East became even more delicate.

Now Qantas ups the ante again on Fiumicino

The news these hours is that Qantas has decided to further increase its presence over Europe and to do so in part to circumvent, as much as possible, the operational burden of Middle Eastern hubs.

According to ABC, the company will gradually increase capacity from mid-April until the end of July, and among the measures announced is that flights between Perth and Rome will become daily. Along with Rome, Paris and connections to Singapore will also be strengthened, but for us the point is crystal clear: When Qantas has to choose where to put more capacity, Rome is one of the main answers.

The other way to Oceania

For years the Middle East was the natural bridge between Australia and Europe. Now, amid geopolitical tensions, operational detours, and a general search for more linear routes, Fiumicino finds itself with a much greater burden than before. And not by accident: the Perth-Rome is a flight that has proven to work, to have a market, and to be able to intercept not only those who go to Italy, but also those who use Rome as a gateway to the rest of Europe.

Qantas recalled that this route, launched in 2022, was the First direct connection between Australia and mainland Europe operated by an airline, and which has already carried over 70,000 passengers. So we are not talking about an experiment, but about a course that has already proven to have legs.

The kangaroo route is changing and Rome can be one of the winners

The real theme, under trace, is that the historical kangaroo route between Australia and Europe is changing its skin.

Analysts quoted by ABC explain that the current crisis could accelerate a rebalancing in favor of such airports as Perth, which for Qantas is the ideal base to connect Australia to Europe without passing through traditional Gulf hubs. And if Perth gains weight on the Australian side, Rome gains weight on the European side.

That is why the news is also of great interest to those who live in and fly from Italy: it is not just an increase in a seasonal route, it is a signal that Rome is becoming one of the cornerstones of a new map of long haul flights between Europe and Australia.

More capacity, but don't expect bargain tickets

Then there is the usual detail that no one likes to hear, but it needs to be said. Increasing flights does not automatically mean lowering prices.

According to experts cited by ABC, up to the 30% of capacity between Australia and Europe may have been removed in this highly volatile phase, with inevitable effects on seat availability and fares. Translated: even if Qantas increases flights to Rome, this does not mean we will see prices plummet. Rather, it means that the airline is trying to preside over a route that has become even more valuable.

In conclusion

Earlier Qantas had already decided to lengthen the season e increase rotations Of the Perth-Rome. Now, with the Middle East weighing more and more heavily on carriers' strategies, it has chosen to push even further and strengthen the connection to the point where it becomes daily In the new European plan.

This is heavy news for Fiumicino because it certifies something very clear: Rome is not only a beautiful destination for Australians, but has become a strategic route within Qantas' plans. And when a company of this caliber, at such a complicated stage, decides to put more planes right over Rome, the message is clear: On Fiumicino really believes in it.