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Trans-Tasman border open for the first time in nearly 400 days
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has restarted for the first time in over a year, with the Prime Minister pointing to a further expansion of the bubble.
Trans-Tasman border open for the first time in nearly 400 days
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand has restarted for the first time in over a year, with the Prime Minister pointing to a further expansion of the bubble.
From today, travellers from Australia will be permitted to enter New Zealand without having to spend two weeks in mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Mr Morrison highlighted the benefit of reopening two-way travel across the Tasman, stating it will drive the economic recovery for both countries while helping to lift the travel and tourism sector.
“Today’s milestone is a win-win for Australians and New Zealanders, boosting our economies while keeping our people safe and just in time for Anzac Day,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“Both countries have done a remarkable job in protecting our communities from COVID and two-way flights are an important step in our road out.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was “truly exciting” to begin quarantine-free travel with Australia.
“The bubble marks a significant step in both countries’ reconnection with the world, and it’s one we should all take a moment to be very proud of,” she said.
Australia’s largest airline Qantas said flights are resuming to all pre-COVID destinations in New Zealand across 15 routes, and Qantas will today start a new route between the Gold Coast and Auckland, marking the airline’s first-ever international flights from Gold Coast Airport.
The airlines will operate a combined 29 flights between Australia and New Zealand today, carrying thousands of customers, with around 200 flights to operate each week.
Speaking from Sydney International Airport to farewell departing passengers, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the opening of the two-way travel bubble was a significant milestone for both countries.
“Quarantine-free travel has been almost 400 days in the making. Reopening these flights across the Tasman is a very important milestone in the recovery from the pandemic for Australia and New Zealand but also aviation and tourism,” Mr Joyce said.
“The opening of the two-way bubble is fantastic for the family and friends who are reuniting after so long apart and for the many jobs which are so heavily dependent on tourism. It means we’ll be able to get more planes back in the sky and more of our people back to work.”
Australia and New Zealand are also exploring opportunities to extend quarantine-free travel to other countries in the Pacific, when it is safe to do so, reflecting our close ties to the Pacific and our commitment to supporting their recovery.
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