Qantas Airways Ltd said it has made changes to its international services schedule aimed at boosting air transport to Australia, including increased services between China and Australia.

The airline said it will add two additional Brisbane-Los Angeles services each week, from March 2008, one additional Sydney-Los Angeles service each week from March 2008, the commencement of services to South America from November 2008 and an additional one weekly service between Sydney and Johannesburg.

Qantas group general manager for sales and distribution Rob Gurney said the schedule changes include an additional return service between Sydney and Shanghai from August, taking the total number of flights offered on that route to five per week.

China is an important and growing aviation market, Gurney said, adding from August, Qantas will offer eight return services a week from Sydney to China – five to Shanghai and three to Beijing.

Separately, the Australian carrier said it will introduce a new service between Melbourne and Shanghai, offering two flights a week on the route from March 2008. The new service will be operated by A330 aircraft.