Qantas Airways Ltd. said a seven-hour scenic flight over Australia¡¯s Outback and Great Barrier Reef had sold out in 10 minutes, as it joined a growing trend in Asia offering ¡°flights to nowhere¡± that take off and land at the same airport.

Tough border restrictions to keep the coronavirus under control have led to a 97.5 percent plunge in international travel in the region, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Many frequent flyers miss getting on planes and airlines including Taiwan¡¯s EVA Airways Corp. and ANA Holdings Inc., desperate for revenue and to keep their pilots¡¯ licenses current, have offered special sightseeing flights.