Travellers snap up airlines’ scenic ‘flights to nowhere’

In demand: Qantas Airways’ seven-hour flight over Australia’s Outback and Great Barrier Reef sold out in 10 minutes. — AFP

SYDNEY: Qantas Airways Ltd said a seven-hour scenic flight over Australia’s Outback and Great Barrier Reef had sold out in 10 minutes, as it joined a growing trend in Asia offering “flights to nowhere” that take off and land at the same airport.

Tough border restrictions to keep the coronavirus under control have led to a 97.5% plunge in international travel in the region, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.