Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[antycbr]

Breaking in The Guardian:

Qantas to resume flights to London and Los Angeles from 14 November​

Qantas will bring forward the restart of its international flights to 14 November 2021, it confirmed this afternoon, following the federal government’s announcement to lift the ban on international travel from November.
The carrier will operate three weekly return flights between Sydney and London and three weekly return flights between Sydney and Los Angeles with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

 

[Lynda2475]

Qantas to resume flights to London and Los Angeles from 14 November​

Qantas will bring forward the restart of its international flights to 14 November 2021, it confirmed this afternoon, following the federal government’s announcement to lift the ban on international travel from November.
The carrier will operate three weekly return flights between Sydney and London and three weekly return flights between Sydney and Los Angeles with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Seems a bit late, given NSW will hit 80% fully vaxed by 5th Oct, would have been nice to see the flights start on 1st Nov.

Not keen on LAX, i want to know where HNL and JFK services resume.

 

[mviy]

What about MEL? Any love for MEL from QF?

 

[Pushka]

Seems a bit late, given NSW will hit 80% fully vaxed by 5th Oct, would have been nice to see the flights start on 1st Nov.

Not keen on LAX, i want to know where HNL and JFK services resume.

Give them some slack! They have to get flights all crewed up!

 

[Rebus]

He (Scomo) said the government would not implement a 'red-light, green-light' system of approved and banned countries similar to the United Kingdom.

He did also say that they would be looking at quarantine-free travel with certain countries and named New Zealand as an example. I'll be watching that one closely and hoping that current love-in with the UK means that it makes the cut.

 

[Lynda2475]

What about MEL? Any love for MEL from QF?

Vic not tracking to be be 2 weeks post 80% by the 14th Nov, expect they wouldn't start from MEL til the week after SYD.

Give them some slack! They have to get flights all crewed up!

True, but that is still 7 weeks away.

Proves my assumption though that I will be able to go to the USA well before I can go to WA

Wonder how long til we see how much the price of travel insurance increases or who indeed will be offering it for vaccinated people.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

This might be off topic but is anyone worried that the NSW Premier might not be so much in favour of international travel (like Gladys) and act like WA/QLD in keeping borders closed?

Remember that Scomo has no control over State's international borders and each State can choose to not open borders even after they reach 80% DD

Most NSW government pandemic decisions have been Crisis cabinet decisions. It depends on who take the vacant seat after the moving of all the deck chairs - but doubtful that it would change the 'balance'. NSW is already on the path to 7 day home quarantine.

 

[antycbr]

Give them some slack! They have to get flights all crewed up!

Living under the Sydney flight path I've noticed widebodies doing various domestic flights. Demand aside from freight would be zero, so it's for crew familiarisation and currency. An A330 thundered over last night off 34R (north east takeoff from the parallel third runway) going to BNE.

 

[Lynda2475]

He did also say that they would be looking at quarantine-free travel with certain countries and named New Zealand as an example. I'll be watching that one closely and hoping that current love-in with the UK means that it makes the cut.

That will likely depend on how open those selected countries are to elsewhere.

NZ errs on the conservative side so im not sure they will open to us again anytime soon, as they are still trying for the mythical covid zero. But from our pov NZ visitors are quite safe as they arent really allowing anyone other than Aus (briefly) and Cook islands into NZ without HQ.

UK is much more open to other places that might not make the cut.

I'm just super happy to know that I will be able to leave Australia without being subject to the arbitrary whim of a bureaucrat's permission.

 

[Lynda2475]

More details re Qantas flight resumptions from ABC:

Once the federal government announces the exact date that the international borders will reopen, those dates can be moved forward or back as necessary.

At this stage, all other international routes that were scheduled to resume from December 18 will continue as planned.

All passengers will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine (some exemptions for medical reasons and children). They will also be required to return a negative PCR COVID test 72 hours prior to departure.

 

[Rebus]

That will likely depend on how open those selected countries are to elsewhere.

NZ errs on the conservative side so im not sure they will open to us anytime soon, as they are still trying for the mythical covid zero. But form our pov quite safe as they arent really allowing anyone other than Aus (briefly) and Cook islands in without HQ.

UK is much more open to other places, that might not make the cut.

IM just super happy to know that I will be able to leave without be subject to the arbitrary whim of a bureaucrat's permission.

Good point and yes, the main thing is that we are within touching distance of being able to travel when we need/want to,

 

[jrfsp]

More details re Qantas flight resumptions from ABC:

Once the federal government announces the exact date that the international borders will reopen, those dates can be moved forward or back as necessary.

At this stage, all other international routes that were scheduled to resume from December 18 will continue as planned.

All passengers will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine (some exemptions for medical reasons and children). They will also be required to return a negative PCR COVID test 72 hours prior to departure.

Prior to dept from Australia? This isnt required for domestic carriage, why is it required for intl?

If other airlines wont require it then people will vote with their feet. PCR testing is about $150

 

[Lynda2475]

Prior to dept from Australia? This isnt required for domestic carriage, why is it required for intl?

It is currently a requirement for inbound international travel (repatriation flights and commercial) to Australia on all airlines, the requirement is from the Fed Govt not the airline.

If other airlines wont require it then people will vote with their feet. PCR testing is about $150

Perhaps, but airfares aren't going to be at pre-covid cheap prices, if you cant afford a $150 PCR test to return you certainly wont be able to afford the airfare to leave and return. I don't think $150 it will phase those desperate to leave/return Australia given you are now able to avoid HQ costs.

There is heaps of cashed up and pent up demand. Note the routes opening early are not the cheapest ones, they are destinations that attract both business, leisure and family reunion travel, not those looking for a holiday that is cheaper than a domestic one.

 

[Peso]

As a temporary work visa holder essentially stuck in Australia, I'm paying attention to the situation. Would be great if they'd at least only allow work/student visa holders to home-quarantine for 7 days if fully vaxxed (with no entry for the unvaxxed). That way hotel resources won't be strained.

 

[jrfsp]

It is currently a requirement for inbound international travel to Australia on all airlines, the requirement is form the Fed Govt not the airline.



Perhaps, but airfares aren't going to be at pre-covid cheap prices, if you cant afford a $150 PCR test to return you certainly wont be able to afford the airfare to leave and return. I don't think $150 it will phase those desperate to leave/return Australia given you are avoid HQ costs.

I'm aware of the inbound however QFs press statement suggests PCR will be required prior to travel in any direction on any intl sector.

If that $150 dollars is not required for flying on another airline then id imagine people will be swayed by that, more for the convenience and for some families $600 is a big deal if it can be avoided.

If PCR will be a condition of carriage for intl then why not domestic?

 

[Lynda2475]

The official media release:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/christmas-comes-early-for-australians-as-international-travel-restarts-ahead-of-schedule/

Fares are now on sale for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and some visa holders. Fares start from $1662 return for Sydney-Los Angeles and $1869 return for Sydney-London.

All flights on both routes for the first week will be ‘Points Planes’, meaning frequent flyers can access uncapped Classic Flight Reward seats across all cabins. Seats on these flights will also be available as regular flight bookings.

 

[mviy]

Points Planes are a nice gesture for the restart of international travel, but unless they are willing to provide Points Planes in the other direction at an appropriate time then it'll only really benefit one way travellers.

I'd love to get Classic Reward J seats from MEL but I need it to be for both directions to justify it. I assume the first week of MEL flights whenever they occur will probably be points planes as well.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

The official media release:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/christmas-comes-early-for-australians-as-international-travel-restarts-ahead-of-schedule/

Fares are now on sale for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and some visa holders. Fares start from $1662 return for Sydney-Los Angeles and $1869 return for Sydney-London.

All flights on both routes for the first week will be ‘Points Planes’, meaning frequent flyers can access uncapped Classic Flight Reward seats across all cabins. Seats on these flights will also be available as regular flight bookings.

“Beyond the initial rush, the ongoing demand for international flights will hinge largely on what the quarantine requirements are. The shift to seven day home quarantine for fully vaccinated Australians with a negative test is a great step towards reducing this closer to what is becoming standard in many countries overseas, which is a test and release program.”

 

[coyote25]

Seems a bit late, given NSW will hit 80% fully vaxed by 5th Oct, would have been nice to see the flights start on 1st Nov.

Not keen on LAX, i want to know where HNL and JFK services resume.

If the vaccination rate is only expected by that date (plus 2 weeks effective after) I’m not sure you want to expend a lot of money on something that might not happen exactly as planned. I believe I heard the PM also say NSW home quarantine trial had to be successfully completed (due end of October??).

The 14th November is a safe call that QF obviously thinks is locked in as vaccination program even if it’s hit like with say regional fires causing delays won’t be delayed by more than 4 weeks.

Just a guess however as it might be due to movement of planes, landing slots, ground staff, ticket sales, catering, and recertification requirements etc.

I recall a recent article from international airline reps saying it takes many months to really start up (I thought that was a little exaggerated but might be close to the truth).

 

[oz_mark]

sinovac will be approved by the TGA which is massively good news.

It's not being 'approved'. It's being 'recognised'.

Following assessment to determine the protection offered by certain of these vaccines against infection and serious illness, TGA's initial advice is that Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines be considered 'recognised vaccines' for incoming international travellers to be regarded as appropriately vaccinated.

The assessments have been based on individual review of published data and in certain cases of regulatory information provided to the TGA in confidence. "Recognition" status does not constitute Australian regulatory approval, as regulatory approval would enable a company to provide that vaccine for administration within Australia.