Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Telemachus]

Some notes/thoughts on significant points from today’s PM presser and associated media release, including things mentioned in one but not the other:

Outbound travel

• No precise date(s) yet but enough for all of us with Dec bookings to sleep better and a real prospect for those who rolled the dice and booked to depart in Nov.
• Reiteration that international vax certificates will be available in time, consistent with other reporting in last few days.
• International travel ban will remain for the unvaccinated, which is a reassurance before one spends 20+ hrs in a metal tube with hundreds of others.

Inbound travel

• Uncapped arrivals for vaxxed citizens/PR at Phase C for ‘States that move into that phase’ – a form of words which acknowledges that the usual suspects may not want to go into Phase C at 80% of 16+.
• PM said he was adhering to the NP but nothing about Phase B inward travel at 70%. Media release refers to Phase B return of previous higher caps for unvaxxed arrivals but no mention of the NP’s new separate cap for vaxxed arrivals before Phase C starts – confirmation that the new cap for vaccinated arrivals at 70% is not happening?
• Ball in the jurisdictions’ court to complete trials successfully and have home Q ready to roll: given where we’re coming from, 7 days for vaxxed people ought to be broadly acceptable for most of us for the present.
• Pragmatic distinction between 4 TGA-approved plus 2 additional vaccines ‘recognised for purposes of travel’. Looks like a viable interim approach.
• Significant that we are still approving/recognising vaccines rather than national vaccination programmes for travel purposes, which is what some other countries do with a focus on integrity of the documentation. Related pax facilitation at overseas departure & Australian arrival could still be challenging.
• More ‘facilitated commercial flights’ to happen in Oct in context of home Q trials. Note condition that a jurisdiction only receives such flights if it has agreed to home Q trials (carrot & stick).
• Little about how home Q will work or rules for onward travel home by a resident in a jurisdiction other than the one where they arrive from overseas; not to mention the small matter of State border closures.
• No ‘red’ countries or traffic light system (this came out in the Q&A) so vaccination is the sole determinant of risk posed by an arriving passenger; but PM noted DFAT retains option to designate countries as Do Not Travel for health reasons. Lifting Do Not Travel is key to travel insurance.
• Little about Phase D in 2022 except for brief references to international students and quarantine-free bubbles with NZ et al for the future.

Conclusion
This is mostly very good (though overdue). Devil will be in the detail. Airlines will want more detail (a lot more) but let’s hope there is enough now for them to do the work to move to fuller loads on scheduled flights and to commit to additional services in and out (I see QF has moved already today).

I’m in NSW and am pretty content but appreciate there is rather less certainty here for people who live in other jurisdictions.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Just a question: how did the PM do his most recent quarantine following his trip to the US? Was the PM's line to National Cabinet from the Lodge/Kirribilli House?

 

[Princess Fiona]

For anyone looking to get back from the UK. QF2 is currently wide open in J Award seats on 19/11

 

[Mattg]

For anyone looking to get back from the UK. QF2 is currently wide open in J Award seats on 19/11

Qantas has announced it's doing Points Planes on its SYD-LHR and SYD-LAX flights for the first week of operations. Every seat is available to book using points from 14-20 November.

 

[bernardblack]

Ironically at work (local government) accepting a case of beer would be a dismissal.

There are a lot of people clinging on to Covid zero. They’ll need time to adjust after what we have done to their mental health.

I didn't do anything to their mental health. Their nonsense has affected mine.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Qantas has announced it's doing Points Planes on its SYD-LHR and SYD-LAX flights for the first week of operations. Every seat is available to book using points from 14-20 November.

They aren’t all loaded yet though.
I also didn’t see them announce the reverse LHR-SYD was included.

 

[Seat0B]

Wow, looks like I picked a bad day to give up coffee, smoking and sniffing glue! Flying High reference for the uninitiated.

I have been off the forum all day due to work commitments, and things have really kicked off in a good way with the announcements. Will be reading up to catch up on all the happenings, but on a quick view, it looks pretty promising.

 

[Pushka]

Wow, looks like I picked a bad day to give up coffee, smoking and sniffing glue! Flying High reference for the uninitiated.

I have been off the forum all day due to work commitments, and things have really kicked off in a good way with the announcements. Will be reading up to catch up on all the happenings, but on a quick view, it looks pretty promising.

Christmas in Dubai? They do a great Christmas.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

Christmas in Dubai? They do a great Christmas.

Their NYE really goes off too:

Massive fire at Dubai skyscraper interrupts New Year's Eve fireworks

One person suffers heart attack and 17 injured as fire shoots up high-rise hotel building in city centre

www.theguardian.com

 

[Jeffstrongman]

Christmas in Dubai? They do a great Christmas.

I notice all the announcements refer to Australian citizens and permanent residents. But as a temporary visa holder it would be nice to find at least a snippet of information stating if we are part of these decisions. After spending over 18 months on the opposite side of Hotel California - I can check out any time I like but I can never come back.. - some clear instructions would be helpful. My master plan was to knock on Gladys door and ask as she only lives up the road.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Non-citizens​

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, including state and territory border restrictions, business closures and social distancing requirements, international visitors are encouraged to return home when possible to do so.

Temporary visa holders should be aware that if they wish to return to Australia while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, they will generally need a travel exemption. For more information about the Commissioner’s Exemption, see Coming to Australia.

Temporary visa holders returning home​

Temporary visa holders impacted by COVID-19 can make arrangements to return to their home country, if border restrictions in that country allow.

Temporary visa holders do not need an exemption to depart Australia. They can leave at any time, as long as border restrictions in their home country allow them to return.

Remember the COVID-19 situation continues to change.

Check each week:

• border restrictions
• availability of flights.

Commercial flights are available from several major airports across Australia.

You may also wish to find out if there are any private or government repatriation flights to your home country.

If you would like further assistance to return home, you can contact your embassy or consulate in Australia.

Temporary visa holders leaving Australia for a short trip overseas​

Temporary visa holders in Australia can depart Australia at any time, however, they will generally not be permitted to return to Australia.

Temporary visa holders seeking to leave and then return to Australia, may apply for an inwards exemption before they leave, however applications will generally only be approved if:

• the applicant meets the requirements for an individual exemption from Australia’s Inward Travel Restrictions, and
• they have a strong compassionate or compelling reason to leave Australiasupported by relevant documentary evidence, for example:
  • attending the funeral of a close family member overseas, visiting a close family member who is seriously or critically ill, or seeking necessary medical treatment not available in Australia, or
  • travel is essential for business purposes.

Department of Home Affairs Website

Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, working together to keep Australia safe.

covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

The rights of temporary visa holders to come back to Australia seems to rest with the Federal Government not the NSW Government.

 

[glasszon]

I assume you won't be allowed to take a domestic flight before entering home quarantine? Want to fly to MEL but only LHR-SYD is showing up on Qantas at the moment.

 

[serfty]

This is a couple of days old:

Interesting. Whatis the source of that information.

 

[Danger]

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.

I think you'll find 5 October is the 70% date, not the 80% date. The ABC's tracking has the 80% date estimated to be 18 October.

Charting the jab: Australia reaches 50 per cent vaccination milestone

Just a question: how did the PM do his most recent quarantine following his trip to the US? Was the PM's line to National Cabinet from the Lodge/Kirribilli House?

It appeared as though he did the press conference from the Lodge.

 

[oznflfan]

I assume you won't be allowed to take a domestic flight before entering home quarantine? Want to fly to MEL but only LHR-SYD is showing up on Qantas at the moment.

I reckon you will once each state allows, but if only NSW when you fly, no.

 

[oznflfan]

Pity the WA folk, their leader at post Cabinet meeting said this 'international thingy, is not for them.

He did however say it'll be months not years away though!

 

[Silvia]

Good news overall, but the uncertainty for those who we have been separated from our families for nearly 2 years and the government still not classifying them as our immediate family shows the divide that it continues. I have a fully vaccinated family who wouldn’t mind quarantining and would love to meet my child who is nearly 1.

Just a clearer timeline and transparency would be appreciated… but seems too much to ask

 

[hb13]

Sure, being vaccinated yourself is most of the way there. But allowing people into the country who are not effectively vaccinated could have implications for our health system and tourism industries.

But you have made it clear you don't care if our tourism industry gets killed off?

 

[hb13]

Has there been any detail yet on what you do if you are an Australian residing overseas regarding home q in Aus? I can quarantine at my family's house, but do they all have to quarantine?

Or are we allowed to use a hotel/airbnb (one of our choosing)? It would be nice to know these details soon.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Has there been any detail yet on what you do if you are an Australian residing overseas regarding home q in Aus? I can quarantine at my family's house, but do they all have to quarantine?

Or are we allowed to use a hotel/airbnb (one of our choosing)? It would be nice to know these details soon.

You need to monitor the relevant State/Territory - but not much announcements today by any jurisdiction.

eg NSW still on track for 7 day home quarantine; SA still trialling/looking at 14 days home quarantine; Vic had a vague reference/side comment to test twice and release.