In July this year Qantas suspended international flights until March 2021. Now the Australian carrier says its long haul routes to the UK are unlikely to be reinstated for at least another year. Other international flights, except for those to New Zealand, will not resume before July 2021.

Speaking at the company’s AGM, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said, “For some of our big destinations like the United States and the UK, it’s going to need a vaccine given the high prevalence of the virus in both of those locations.

“It’s going to take some time to recover international travel.” Joyce said, noting flights between Australia and the UK could “potentially” happen by the end of 2021.

“The unexpected closure of several domestic borders in July meant our recovery has been delayed,”

Qantas is expecting a further AUS $100 ($94.1) million in losses for the first quarter of this financial year.

The airline has run limited international flights, to help repatriate Australians caught overseas by the pandemic.