Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Pushka]

also think the Government could not survive the anger of allowing international students in while Australian citizens are finding it incredibly difficult to get home.

I read a few days ago that the green light had been given for this to happen in SA later next month. I agree. It is not acceptable while genuine cases involving Australians are stuck overseas.

 

[jakeseven7]

I read a few days ago that the green light had been given for this to happen in SA later next month. I agree. It is not acceptable while genuine cases involving Australians are stuck overseas.

I thought that was just a trial in SA?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And again, the airlines simply will not survive this. So, forget about talking about lounge access, and competition. By the time this ends, I expect that most of the structure that allowed mass travel will have been destroyed.

'the' airlines we know today may not survive. But there will be an airline industry... there's no other practical way to travel. If the airlines we know today don't survive... lots of very experienced pilots, crew, reservations and ground staff are out there, and plenty of new planes too. All to be operated without crippling debts. Look at Rex taking advantage of the market.

And of course government airlines with deep pockets... China, the Middle East. Huge room for them to expand if other players leave the market.

 

[CityRail]

I also think the Government could not survive the anger of allowing international students in while Australian citizens are finding it incredibly difficult to get home.

States who don't open borders domestically are also being clearly and explicitly told that they cannot allow in international travellers while Australians are not allow to travel to their states.

I heard the Federal Government wants Aussies come home by Christmas, and by a one way Tasman Bubble and increase of international cap, I am confident this is achievable, and then we shall have room for international students to return.

The HE sector desperately need international students or we will face lots of jobs lost and many like me will become depressed.

 

[dajop]

The HE sector desperately need international students or we will face lots of jobs lost and many like me will become depressed.

There surely must be a way. For example, co-ordinate with SQ for them to run a Scoot or Silkair service to XCH or DRW from SIN, hub arrivals from Europe/Asia via quarantine facilities in either location.

 

[Pushka]

I thought that was just a trial in SA?

Well, we all know what that means. A trial is still allowing international people into Australia. And of course it will be "successful" and then it's full on come January.

 

[dajop]

. A trial is still allowing international people into Australia.

International people are already allowed into Australia. There are already are raft of well known actors that have arrived. And mark my words there will be all manner of cricketers, tennis players etc coming in summer. Why should "celebrities" be allowed in but not international students?

The education industry in 2017/18 contributed $13b in fee and $18.5b in goods/services, not insubstantial. I am sure it's a bigger contribution than a few hollywood films being made. It makes sense to try and find a way of supporting the industry in a safe manner.

What the education industry lacks is the media self-interest that can craft the narrative to support them coming, unlike say sporting and film industries.

 

[Pushka]

International people are already allowed into Australia. There are already are raft of well known actors that have arrived. And mark my words there will be all manner of cricketers, tennis players etc coming in summer. Why should "celebrities" be allowed in but not international students?

The education industry in 2017/18 contributed $13b in fee and $18.5b in goods/services, not insubstantial. I am sure it's a bigger contribution than a few hollywood films being made. It makes sense to try and find a way of supporting the industry in a safe manner.

What the education industry lacks is the media self-interest that can craft the narrative to support them coming, unlike say sporting and film industries.

That suggests I agree with that too! I don't. Our business is closely allied with Universities and we knew there was going to be carnage for our industry back in February. And there has been. But even so, if there are Aussies genuinely struggling to come back then they have to be the priority. Always.

 

[antycbr]

And of course government airlines with deep pockets... China, the Middle East. Huge room for them to expand if other players leave the market.

I’d kind of like to have at least one Australian flagged carrier with international scope for strategic/defence reasons. Other carriers won’t always be there in times of crisis to serve the national interest.

 

[Nathant123]

I can’t imagine what’ll happen to flagship airlines, even those with heaps of money behind them if the international restrictions continue to be as strict as they currently are. I suppose the arabs will be right considering they still have services arriving into the country and many other places around the world but I can’t imagine how Qantas will fare. I hope the government concessions are enough to keep em going at the current limited capacity.

 

[Pushka]

I can’t imagine what’ll happen to flagship airlines, even those with heaps of money behind them if the international restrictions continue to be as strict as they currently are. I suppose the arabs will be right considering they still have services arriving into the country and many other places around the world but I can’t imagine how Qantas will fare. I hope the government concessions are enough to keep em going at the current limited capacity.

It's really only Australia that is so awfully restricted.

 

[Nathant123]

It's really only Australia that is so awfully restricted

Shame. I don’t understand why we’re unable to leave even if we agree to pay quarantine on return. Increase services and keep the industry afloat. At least hotels will have people in them and they’ll be getting paid one way or another. I know for most that travel is a privilege but surely we can loosen the belt a bit.

 

[jakeseven7]

Shame. I don’t understand why we’re unable to leave even if we agree to pay quarantine on return.

Because the hotels are apparently full of domestic travelers being forced to quarantine because of state border polices.... which is why they are trying to get state borders open first then more slots available for returning Australians. Apparently it has to happen in this order.....

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Shame. I don’t understand why we’re unable to leave even if we agree to pay quarantine on return. Increase services and keep the industry afloat. At least hotels will have people in them and they’ll be getting paid one way or another. I know for most that travel is a privilege but surely we can loosen the belt a bit.

A flip side is being forced to travel because of booking conditions made pre-covid - see Ruby Princess. Act of god should have been declared if all things fair once travel ban introduced but it would have crippled cash flow of travel businesses. Some bookings are 12 month ahead but of course a lower proportion but some still carrying the fallout with travel vouchers.

Of course a range of other arguments re choosing to get covid, quarantine, isolation (which didn’t work initially). Anyway it won’t be long .......possibly.

 

[dajop]

But even so, if there are Aussies genuinely struggling to come back then they have to be the priority. Always.

Haha, I can't disagree when I'm wanting to come back for Xmas!

But you know what, Australians overseas are over-entitled w#@ers who don't deserve to come home if they didn't come home by March. (Well that seems to be an underlying sentiment, not stoked, but not exactly dispelled by the media ). Means that there's no political imperative to do so, even though the situation of many overseas is complicated and their means are limited, especially in the face of the significant economic shock (and many job losses) caused by COVID globally.

In any event, an advanced, wealthy country like Australia should be able to find a mechanism to allow both returning citizens and income generating foreign students to safely come back to Australia.

 

[DC3]

... I don’t understand why we’re unable to leave even if we agree to pay quarantine on return ...

Our Government knows better than us, it seems. As we know, until the Federal Government changes the current rules, we will not be leaving Oz, unless we receive a special exemption. Maybe, they don’t want us stranded overseas and being unable to return. Anyhow, they are calling the shots.

 

[Pushka]

Haha, I can't disagree when I'm wanting to come back for Xmas!

But you know what, Australians overseas are over-entitled w#@ers who don't deserve to come home if they didn't come home by March. (Well that seems to be an underlying sentiment, not stoked, but not exactly dispelled by the media ). Means that there's no political imperative to do so, even though the situation of many overseas is complicated and their means are limited, especially in the face of the significant economic shock (and many job losses) caused by COVID globally.

In any event, an advanced, wealthy country like Australia should be able to find a mechanism to allow both returning citizens and income generating foreign students to safely come back to Australia.

Agree. Somehow NZ does manage that process in ins and outs. If any Govt starts bleating that we will suffer from negative population growth because of no immigration then we only have ourselves to blame. Well, the bloody border stuff anyway.

 

[dajop]

On the entry into foreign country side, an Australian passport is theoretically now the second most powerful in the world. The irony ...

World's most powerful passports during COVID-19: Australian passport now second most powerful

Only one other passport now offers access to more countries than Australia's, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions.

www.traveller.com.au

But even then I'm not sure how accurate the reporting is, as often entry restrictions relate to residency (or where you've been in the previous period. An Australian living in the US probably has very few extra privileges compared to a US citizen living in the US, and perhaps even less (theoretical) entry privileges than a US passport holder living in Australia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’d kind of like to have at least one Australian flagged carrier with international scope for strategic/defence reasons. Other carriers won’t always be there in times of crisis to serve the national interest.

In principle it seems like a nice idea... but at what cost, and what benefit? Nice to have an Aussie carrier that can fly to wherever when needed, but they have done so few flights we might as well charter planes from the likes of HiFly or Wamos.

We also have Air Force capability which could be adapted. We have 8 C-17 Globemasters with a range of 10,000kms and capacity of 134 passengers. Granted, i guess places like China might not want our military aircraft to visit, but how often would that be needed? C-17A Globemaster III | Royal Australian Air Force

Back on topic... I find it hard to accept Australia will prohibit international travel until the end of 2021. Lots of people with family overseas. Can't expect them to wait almost 2 years to see them

 

[oznflfan]

In principle it seems like a nice idea... but at what cost, and what benefit? Nice to have an Aussie carrier that can fly to wherever when needed, but they have done so few flights we might as well charter planes from the likes of HiFly or Wamos.

We also have Air Force capability which could be adapted. We have 8 C-17 Globemasters with a range of 10,000kms and capacity of 134 passengers. Granted, i guess places like China might not want our military aircraft to visit, but how often would that be needed? C-17A Globemaster III | Royal Australian Air Force

Back on topic... I find it hard to accept Australia will prohibit international travel until the end of 2021. Lots of people with family overseas. Can't expect them to wait almost 2 years to see them

................But as they say, they are keeping us safe!. Unfortunately whilst we all lap up the daily COVID news Australian Government will keep us locked up without any thought for family or tourism.