It wouldn't be hard to imagine them only keeping the 6 refurb'd A380s and retiring the others. A380 would base in SYD with all long haul flights from Melbourne on the Dreamliner. This could help them launch the long discussed MEL-DFW to help with the decrease in capacity to LAX

Smart move re Brisbane.... gives them quite a strong position when this is all over to negotiate with the government on continuing the flight

Was surprised they were still flying as much as they were before this cut!

Makes sense for the CX134/135 Melbourne flights to be the most cut as they mirror the QF flight schedule

With this announcement it seems even more likely they have come to an arrangement for the airport to accommodate A380 aircraft on the SYD route which gives a boost to seats on that route while also allowing the MEL swap.