Australia Extends Outbound Travel Ban Until 17 June 2021

The Australian government has extended the outbound travel ban for a further three months. It means Australian citizens and permanent residents will continue to need a travel restriction exemption to leave the country until at least 17 June 2021 – three months later than previously announced – although it is likely that the travel ban … Continued

Podcast #54: How to Fly to Australia Without Getting “Bumped”

Australia’s international arrival caps continue to pose a huge challenge for Australians trying to return home from overseas without getting bumped from their booked flights. This was recently made worse by the Victorian government’s decision to suspend all international arrivals – effectively removing 1,310 hotel quarantine spots per week. In episode 54 of the AFF … Continued

Australia to Increase International Arrival Caps

Most Australian states will restore their international arrival caps to December 2020 levels from 15 February 2021, following a decision at Friday’s National Cabinet meeting. But Western Australia will retain its reduced arrival cap of just 512 passengers per week until further notice, as Perth emerges from a 5-day COVID-19 lockdown. From 15 February 2021, … Continued

Parcel Takes 34,000km Detour from Sydney to Brisbane… via Chicago & Tokyo!

Unprecedented cargo demand, fewer planes flying, limited staff availability and ever-changing border restrictions throughout the pandemic have wreaked havoc on freight shipments and postal delivery services worldwide. Some countries have even had to temporarily shut down international mail. So it’s no surprise that some international parcels are taking longer to arrive, or taking an unusual … Continued

Podcast #52: When Could “Normal” Travel Resume?

Earlier this month, Qantas reopened international flight bookings for July 2021. But then, this week, Australia’s current and former Chief Medical Officers both said they didn’t expect regular international travel to Australia to resume until 2022. So, when can we expect some level of meaningful international travel to resume, and what will it take? Also in Episode … Continued