Qantas has cancelled the majority of its international services through the end of October after the Australian government said its border would likely remain closed until next year to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

In a statement to the BBC, the airline said: ¡°With Australia¡¯s borders set to remain closed for some time, we have cancelled most flights until late October.

¡°We still have some flights scheduled across the Tasman in the coming months, with the expected travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand.¡±

The statement comes after tourism minister Simon Birmingham told the National Press Club it is ¡°more likely the case¡± that the country will not allow international visitors until next year.

However, Qantas said it will remain ready to restart international flights should the situation change and demand returns.

Qantas and its subsidiary Jetstar are in the process of increasing domestic flights to 15 per cent of pre-Covid levels by the end of June, equating to more than 300 return services per week. The group hopes to add more flights in July and said it has the ability to return up to 40 per cent of its pre-crisis capacity.