Emirates (EK, Dubai International) is planning to expand the parameters of an existing joint venture agreement it has with Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith). Under the terms of the original ten-year long deal signed in 2012, Qantas shifted its hub for European flights to Dubai International and as such, serves London Heathrow from Sydney Kingsford Smith and Melbourne Tullamarine using Dubai as a stopover. On the other hand, Emirates serves Adelaide International, Brisbane International, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth International.

However, the Gulf News says Emirates president Tim Clark told reporters in Dubai last week that the two carriers have already agreed on the way forward for the next three to five years. Clark said that while Emirates would focus primarily on the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth markets, it may also open up flights to secondary cities in Australia such as Darwin, Cairns, Broome, and Alice Springs among others.

For Qantas's part, Clark said the terms of the original 2012 agreement allowed the airline the option of resuming flights to various European hubs including Frankfurt International, Paris CDG, and Rome Fiumicino once the first of its B787-9s arrive towards the end of its 2019 financial year.