In late April it announced it had put its plans to fly to Orange from May 1 on hold due to the lockdown.

Rival airline Regional Express announced it would increase its flights, including the Orange route, in response to a Qantas announcement about more flights.

However, the Qantas announcement last week did not include Orange.

A spokeswoman for the airline said they were still committed to introducing flights to Orange.

"We are working towards a new launch date," she said.

In February the airline announced its regional arm QantasLink would provide 11 return flights between Orange and Sydney on a mix of Q300 and Q200 aircraft.

Qantas said it would add more than 45,000 seats on the route a year.

Regional Express will start Monday-Friday daily return flights to Orange from Sydney from July 6.

There will also be an afternoon return flight from Sydney to Orange on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Regional Express chief operating officer Neville Howell said the move had been forced on them.

"It is with great reluctance that we are adding so much additional flying so soon that doesn't match demand," he said.

"We would normally gradually increase our flying schedule in tandem with the growth in passenger numbers so as to minimise losses."

Regional Express has received funding relief from Orange City Council to assist its ability to continue to fly.