Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[mviy]

I reckon MEL could be about a month behind SYD. I wouldn't be surprised if international borders reopened for VIC December 1. If people keep on coming forward for their first doses, VIC could be around 90% fully vaccinated for 16+ come December.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Interesting, Id only read about scrapping of PER-LHR, guess we have to wait for the A380s to come back online to go via SIN, shame.

So given NT have not opened up to NSW, presumeably you need to stay on board while the plane refuels?

It’s not related to the A380 going back into service.
At this stage QF states they will be going via DRW until April.

QANTAS TO FLY KANGAROO ROUTE TO LONDON VIA DARWIN​

 

[Lynda2475]

As NSW will hit 80% double vaxed mid October, add two weeks for max protection to kick in and Nov 1 is the obvious date, it was mentioned by Dom as early as last Tuesday.

QF went conservative with 14 Nov date for flights, but if another airline decides to fly Nov 1 is totally achievable - maybe Fiji Ariways will come to the party earlier.

 

[Lynda2475]

At this stage QF states they will be going via DRW until April.

So will this result in a transfer lounge being built at DRW similar to the one in PER? Would think this would be needed so we can quarantine at home and not in NT and can leave the plane to stretch legs before the 2nd leg.

Should mean whenever VIC get around to opening there shpuld be at least 2 flight to LHR via DRW per day, one to replace the MEL-PER-LHR and another to replace the SYD-SIN-LHR.

 

[mviy]

The most optimistic date for VIC reopening would probably be mid-November, but I think the VIC premier will want to proceed cautiously so somewhere around the start of December is what I'm hoping for.

I'd certainly like to be flying out before the December 18th that QF currently plans to start flying from MEL.

 

[Lynda2475]

I'd certainly like to be flying out before the December 18th that QF currently plans to start flying from MEL.

Just means flying out via SYD if you want to go earlier

 

[mviy]

The PM did a livestream video on his FaceBook page if you'd rather hear what he had to say. The bit about international travel starts just after 3:15 into the video:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4774823965863974

Good to hear that he supports fast tracking reopening of the international borders.

 

[OATEK]

So will this result in a transfer lounge being built at DRW similar to the one in PER? Would think this would be needed so we can quarantine at home and not in NT and can leave the plane to stretch legs before the 2nd leg.

Should mean whenever VIC get around to opening there shpuld be at least 2 flight to LHR via DRW per day, one to replace the MEL-PER-LHR and another to replace the SYD-SIN-LHR.

This is why there is no current availability on QF1 for SYD-SIN only, as they do no have a firm idea of when SIN and AU can agree on a reciprocal travel and transit arrangement. This might come sooner than April, with a bit of luck and/or effort by the Feds. Searches SYD-SIN on QF for mid December only bring up QF81.

 

[ayushamity]

QF went conservative with 14 Nov date for flights, but if another airline decides to fly Nov 1 is totally achievable - maybe Fiji Ariways will come to the party earlier.

Airlines do not even have to put on new flights. Singapore, Emirates, Qatar are all already flying and assuming Nov 1 means increased travel caps, they can just open more bookings on existing flights at the flick of a pen.

I am not surprised if by next weekend, we have lots more bookings open online (only to Sydney).

 

[Lynda2475]

Technically the caps should be removed altogether for the fully vacinated (recognized vaccines only), and caps be upped for the unvaccinated. But the fully vaccinated is where airlines will make their money, and routes that are direct to SYD without transits will be the easiest to meet the testing regime.

This makes Fiji and USA safer bet for more airlines than ME (which is maninly used a transit to EU).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Technically the caps should be removed altogether for the fully vacinated (recognized vaccines only), and caps be upped for the unvaccinated. But the fully vaccinated is where airlines will make their money, and routes that are direct to SYD without transits will be the easiest to meet the testing regime.

This makes Fiji and USA safer bet for more airlines than ME (which is maninly used a transit to EU).

I thought the current caps would be enough to handle the numbers who cannot get vaccinated on medical grounds?

 

[Lynda2475]

I thought the current caps would be enough to handle the numbers who cannot get vaccinated on medical grounds?

Medical grounds has never mentioned wrt to arrivals. In some of the places Aussies are stuck, they cant access a recognized vaccines, so will still need to HQ.

The caps were reduced to 1/6 what they were (500 vs 3000) when LGAs of concern became a thing, because hotels supervision was needed for those locals who couldnt safely qurrantine at home, so some staff were redpoyed to domestic HQ. They shouldnt need to go back to 3k but one would think, they would at least double to 1k per week until some of the backlog is cleared.

 

[Jeffstrongman]

The PM did a livestream video on his FaceBook page if you'd rather hear what he had to say. The bit about international travel starts just after 3:15 into the video:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4774823965863974

Good to hear that he supports fast tracking reopening of the international borders.

Did the Prime Minister mention temporary visa holders at all? Or do we continue to be treated as we don’t exist in Australia? Still awaiting a response from Minister Alex Hawke MP to my email asking when temporary residents will be afforded the same privilege as Australian citizens and permanent residents will soon be allowed, ie being able to leave the country without being granted an exemption to return and not have to do 2 weeks hotel quarantine. It is not only Australian citizens and residents who have family in other countries. Having watched my mother in law’s funeral on an iPhone last April and having my father in law enter a nursing home last week - the desire to be able to visit and return freely is very strong.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Perrottet on borders / home Q / tourism

 

[Batterytraveller]

The PM did a livestream video on his FaceBook page if you'd rather hear what he had to say. The bit about international travel starts just after 3:15 into the video:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4774823965863974

Good to hear that he supports fast tracking reopening of the international borders.

Great, now go tell the airlines that aren’t Qantas how is going to work so they can start releasing seats.

 

[antycbr]

Great, now go tell the airlines that aren’t Qantas how is going to work so they can start releasing seats.

It’s the new economy… we don’t publish regulations and legislation… you’re expect to work it out from a YouTube and a few tweets from the relevant minister.

 

[mviy]

Did the Prime Minister mention temporary visa holders at all? Or do we continue to be treated as we don’t exist in Australia?

I don’t think he mentioned that. If you are neither a citizen nor a permanent resident you can leave but you need an exemption to come back.

I think with limited flights, prioritising temporary visa holders en mass leaving and coming back over Aussies would not go down well with Aussies that haven‘t been allowed to go and see family abroad for 18 months. Citizenship should mean something.

 

[yohy?!]

Trying to book flights back for Xmas from HKG.

Only option is FJ now,

0 availability into SYD via any other major hub in Asia (CX/SG/PR/TG/JL/MU)

Nothing but p... and wind at present I'm afraid in this "reopening" talk.

 

[glasszon]

Trying to book flights back for Xmas from HKG.

Only option is FJ now,

0 availability into SYD via any other major hub in Asia (CX/SG/PR/TG/JL/MU)

Nothing but p... and wind at present I'm afraid in this "reopening" talk.

Problem is the lack of details, no airline wants the headache and cost of selling tickets and having to cancel them should the government changes the implementation date.

I am sure if the government will commit the border reopening to a certain date, you would find airlines are more than happy to start selling tickets as they need the revenue.

 

[roogirl]

I don’t think he mentioned that. If you are neither a citizen nor a permanent resident you can leave but you need an exemption to come back.

I think with limited flights, prioritising temporary visa holders en mass leaving and coming back over Aussies would not go down well with Aussies that haven‘t been allowed to go and see family abroad for 18 months. Citizenship should mean something.

Strongly disagree with this. If you are resident (whether temporary or permanent, ie not a tourist) everyone should be treated equally.