Qantas Airways has announced it will suspend its twice weekly services to Rome via Singapore and commence codeshare services four times each week to Rome via Hong Kong with oneworld partner Cathay Pacific.

The Cathay Pacific codeshare services will commence Sept. 9 and be operated by a Qantas aircraft between Australia and Hong Kong and a Cathay Pacific aircraft between Hong Kong and Rome.

This represents a doubling of frequency compared with the current Qantas schedule. The new codeshare services will depart Australia on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon said Qantas began services to Rome in 1948 and the suspension of these services highlighted the extremely difficult environment for international airlines, including Qantas.

Qantas Frequent Flyer members will earn points on the new codeshare services to Rome and oneworld alliance benefits will also apply.