Qantas boss says Australia cannot sustain more than three airlines.

Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson says Australia lacks enough passengers to sustain more than three domestic airlines due to the high costs of providing services across the country.

Speaking in Perth at the launch of the airline’s new 17-hour non-stop service to Paris, Hudson explained that Australia’s aviation market is unique due to the country’s small population and the heavy reliance on domestic travel.

Hudson noted that the collapse of budget airline Bonza after just one year of operations underscores the need for the government to focus on market sustainability.