The Yen Man is nearly dead...
Standby for an announcement that Qantas will completely withdraw from Cairns-Tokyo by the middle of next year, with the flying to be transferred to Australian Airlines. The additional capacity will be provided by one additional 763 being transferred across, and also the suspension of Cairns-Fukuoka services.
All AO aircraft will be reconfigured to incorporate a premium economy product - essentially the same service, but more legroom. And the new services will continue the codeshare with JAL.
The Yen Men will grieve, but in the end if your on the gravy train for too long you will price yourself out of the market.
More efficient airlines equal more profits which equal more jobs. Win-Win-Win. Super stuff that!