By removing a 500 seat aircraft and going to a 236 seater you don’t need to be a genuis to work out they are going to fill the replacement from both MEL/PER to LHR
I think the point of this last bit of discussion is that QF are taking what is more than likely a profitable load factor (75%+, with break even normally equating to 60-65%), out of and into Perth, with Melbourne just making up the numbers (which get it to the 80s and 90s). Given this, Melbourne pax DO seem to largely be flying another way. Either QF through SIN or other Airlines. (Also, Was the 500 seater always full/profitable, if not, then what?).
QF could probably have another machine running Melboure - Singas- London and still do ok with all of them. It certainly looks as though they could use the extra capacity. I’d wonder how much is being lost not providing this. Project Sunrise is a long way off coming to fruition yet, might it be wise to corner a bigger slice of the Melbourne market in the mean time?