The UK flag carrier will fly daily between Melbourne and London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur on its four-class 787-9 Dreamliners starting on 11 January. The airline’s only current Australian destination is Sydney, which it flies daily via Singapore.
Speaking to ABC Radio National, Transport Minister Catherine King said she had “heard reports” that China had told its oil refineries to halt exports, but that Qantas and Virgin were in a position to handle at least any short-term disruptions.