Qantas to give employees shares as it posts $1.6bn profit

The carrier on Wednesday said it would add 49,000 seats on Sydney and Melbourne services from the Queensland destination, commencing in July.

The daily service, to launch on 20 June, will give Sydney Airport six Hong Kong flights per day in total between three carriers, and a 20 per cent boost in seat capacity over current levels. It will likely use Hong Kong Airlines’ A330-300 aircraft.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Transport Minister outlined the decision as part of the Federal Government’s continued support for Rex, which has helped the airline’s regional Saab 340 flights continue to operate while it remains in admin…