Which Countries Ban Their Citizens From Leaving?

On 25 March 2020, the Australian government banned its citizens and permanent residents from leaving the country without a travel exemption as an emergency coronavirus measure. Fourteen months later, the temporary ban is still in force (with the exception of travel to New Zealand) and there are no signs of it being repealed anytime soon. … Continued

Virgin Adds Domestic Routes, Delays International Restart

Virgin Australia will add five new domestic routes and add more flights on 20 existing routes as demand increases across the domestic network. But the announcement came just a week after Virgin further delayed its planned restart of international flights. New Virgin Australia domestic routes From July 2021, Virgin Australia will add flights on the … Continued

Podcast #60: Can You Fly to Australia on Points During COVID-19?

Earlier this year, Devon Indig’s partner Shalini needed to fly to the Netherlands for three months to care for her ageing mother. With Australia’s border closed and a high risk of getting bumped off a return flight back to Australia, it was a difficult and risky endeavour. It could have also been very expensive. There … Continued

International Border to Remain Closed Until Mid-2022?

Australia’s international borders will not reopen to most countries until at least mid-2022, the federal government has predicted in this week’s budget. “Inbound and outbound international travel is expected to remain low through to mid 2022, after which a gradual recovery in international tourism is assumed to occur,” according to budget documents. The truth is … Continued

Podcast #59: Flying to New Zealand in 2021

The trans-Tasman travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand is now well and truly open. In fact, thousands of Aussies have already flocked to the land of the long white cloud to take advantage of it! In this episode, your podcast host Matt Graham chats to Alan Lam from Netwave Travel (a.k.a. madrooster on the … Continued