Armidale's remaining air service will be suspended until the end of May.
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With a 70 per cent reduction in passenger numbers, Qantas flights to Sydney are being suspended from April 10 until May 31.
A Qantas spokesman told The Armidale Express that Qantas and Jetstar were continuing to reduce domestic and regional flights across Australia.
"Government travel restrictions and social distancing requirements have meant demand for air travel has all but ceased," the spokesman said.
"Demand levels will continue to be monitored, with further temporary changes possible.
"Once the coronavirus passes and demand for air travel resumes, we will ramp flights back up again."
Meanwhile, Armidale Regional Council has called on state and federal government backing to maintain a passenger air service to the Armidale region.
The Qantas suspension follows similar moves by the other carriers providing regular passenger services to Armidale Regional Airport, as measures to control the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus reduce passenger numbers.
"While we fully understand and respect the tough decisions these carriers must make to protect the future viability of their businesses, it is vital this region is not left without a regular service," Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray said.
"We're looking to federal and state government for a commitment to underwrite at least a daily air passenger link between Sydney and the Armidale region."
REX Airlines has stopped its flights to Sydney and Fly Corporate ceased its link to Brisbane last week.
"People are responsibly heeding government directions to avoid non-essential travel, significantly reducing passenger numbers. However, a reliable air connection is essential for professional services needed by our community, such as hospital and health services," Cr Murray said.
"Our state member Adam Marshall and federal member Barnaby Joyce both have outstanding track records in fighting for our community and we're hoping they will both take up this fight with just as much determination."
Mr Marshall said he was advised last night that QantasLink would temporarily suspend services until a new 'minimum viable network' option was approved by the Commonwealth Government.
"While this news is a bitter blow for our region, it does not come as any surprise with passenger numbers on the route, along with almost all other domestic routes, dropping by more than 70 per cent in the last few weeks as COVID-19 travel restrictions tightened," Mr Marshall said.
"Realistically, under the new restrictions, there is hardly anyone permitted to catch a flight to Sydney.
"Last night I spoke with senior Qantas Airways Australia senior management urging them to continue a minimum daily service to Armidale, for essential travel, including medical specialists and staff - who are almost the only people still flying at the moment."
He said given the current adverse conditions, he told Qantas management that the service did not have to be direct to Sydney, but it would be acceptable to triangulate with Tamworth or Coffs Harbour, or a combination to the two.
"I was pleased that Qantas agreed and advised it was working on a minimum viable service model for its QantasLink network, which includes Armidale," he said.
Cr Murray said the Armidale to Sydney connection serviced by Qantas was a critical transport link for the wider region used by communities and businesses from Tenterfield, Inverell, Glen Innes, Uralla and Walcha.
"It is vital for the economic success of the Northern Tablelands this service be retained."
The council statement said passenger numbers at Armidale Regional Airport had been on the rise, with approximately 131,000 passing through the facility last year.
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"A large proportion of those 11,000 passengers a month are professionals bringing critical services to our residents, including some who will be even more important during this COVID-19 crisis," Cr Murray said.
"Council has a positive relationship with each of the carriers providing services to this region and we're looking at all avenues to keep some regular air passenger link.
He said just one daily flight would be invaluable in protecting the welfare of our community and helping to minimise the impacts the COVID-19 crisis will inevitably have on our economy.
"We're confident air services to this region will be restored once the crisis has passed. But in the meantime, we need a lifeline to help our community which is doing all it can to weather the storm," Cr Murray said.
"Armidale Regional Airport and a number of the services based there were at the heart of measures to protect much of northern NSW during the recent bushfires. Now we're looking for some backing to help get us through this next challenge."
