Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[jpp42]

Does anyone have any thoughts of transiting NAN in December? FJ has some great deals available SYD-NAN-LAX. I can't find any information FJ's web site about Covid-related transit requirements, only about tourism requirements (which require booking a minimum three-day stay at certain authorised hotels, who also administer lateral flow testing). We will require negative PCR for entry into US anyway so using that for NAN transit would be fine if required. Current timings are a 2.5 hour layover outbound and 4 hrs on return.

 

[mviy]

Fiji will want the revenue from transit passengers again, however when they are ready for that remains to be seen.

If you book and transit flying via Fiji isn't reopen by then you'd then have to pay top dollar to fly a different airline or not go on your trip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does anyone have any thoughts of transiting NAN in December? FJ has some great deals available SYD-NAN-LAX. I can't find any information FJ's web site about Covid-related transit requirements, only about tourism requirements (which require booking a minimum three-day stay at certain authorised hotels, who also administer lateral flow testing). We will require negative PCR for entry into US anyway so using that for NAN transit would be fine if required. Current timings are a 2.5 hour layover outbound and 4 hrs on return.

They are open to passengers from Australia and the USA (as well as a few other countries). FJ is also selling flights to the USA via NAN.

While ridiculous, the worst case scenario if transit were not in fact allowed would seem to be that you arrive in Fiji, enter the country, and immediately depart again. Although that seems unlikely to be required.

Perhaps a call to Fiji Airways to confirm transit?

 

[justinbrett]

The Fiji Airlines website says:

Transit Passengers​

If transiting from Travel Partner countries, you may do so if you:

• have a valid ticket,
• negative COVID-19 test (per requirements of arrival country)
• are fully vaccinated.

In-country conditions will apply.

 

[pmdg7444]

Nov 1 is loominy but the “ban” is still in place. Expect a change at the 11th?

 

[Berlin]

Business award seats to SFO in March on QF! And plenty of availability on JL and CX to SFO, SEA and LAX

Thanks for that- I was pretty stuck to certain dates unfortunately so decided to rather just pay outright for Fiji Airways J class flights via Nadi, if all goes well on the A350 all the way.

I know that their food is a bit meh but those new seats look better than what Qantas has to offer if you ask me. And 4.5k a pop even with Qantas points and status credits? Hard to beat!

 

[jpp42]

They are open to passengers from Australia and the USA (as well as a few other countries). FJ is also selling flights to the USA via NAN.

While ridiculous, the worst case scenario if transit were not in fact allowed would seem to be that you arrive in Fiji, enter the country, and immediately depart again. Although that seems unlikely to be required.

Perhaps a call to Fiji Airways to confirm transit?

Thanks, I did call Fiji airways and they advised from 1 December, transit would apply as long as meeting the other requirements for Fiji tourism. The site "fiji.travel" also says this about transit ( https://www.fiji.travel/faq ) :

Can I transit through Fiji?

Yes, if you are transiting from one of Fiji’s Travel Partner countries. You must have a valid ticket, negative COVID-19 test and be fully vaccinated. In-country conditions will apply.

So it looks like if you did need to enter the country (e.g. outbound flight cancelled), you would need to stay at one of the approved hotels and be subject to lateral flow testing after 48 hours, but assuming you're departing quickly that may not be apply. One problem is that PCR tests are currently FJD350 = AUD$225, a bit steep, if for some reason you needed another test to continue onward. Still may take this chance to save $3000 - currently weighing it up.

 

[Berlin]

Thanks, I did call Fiji airways and they advised from 1 December, transit would apply as long as meeting the other requirements for Fiji tourism. The site "fiji.travel" also says this about transit ( https://www.fiji.travel/faq ) :

I booked two J class returns to LAX via NAN two days ago. Just too good a deal and besides the food, properly one of the best J class seats out there (if it remains the A350).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I booked two J class returns to LAX via NAN two days ago. Just too good a deal and besides the food, properly one of the best J class seats out there (if it remains the A350).

The A50 is their flagship aircraft and on their flagship route: SYD-NAN-LAX and vv. I would think it's very unlikely to change.

 

[Telemachus]

Have any dual-citizens managed to call Medicare/Services Australia and successfully add their vaccination certificate to their non-Australian passport?

Yes, I phoned the AIR (1800 653 809) this afternoon and they created a link between my AIR entry and my UK ppt. I already have an international certificate linked to my AU ppt, of course. There is no option for a digital copy of this second international certificate to be sent out and I was told the paper copy would take 2-3 weeks to arrive by post.

I was in a phone queue only about 15 mins, endured 5 mins of recorded FAQs and then the process itself took about 10 mins. As well as the obvious ppt details I needed to provide proof of ID in the form of Medicare card number, BSB & a/c no. linked to Medicare and driver licence details.

After @Tawita's unhappy experience trying last week, and your own unsuccessful attempt, I had low expectations of this call but was pleasantly surprised. So do give it a go as the AIR systems and staff are now ready to deal with dual citizens holding a foreign ppt with no AU visa.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Anyone know what is happening with SQ and/or November caps? Just got a message my 2 Dec flight into BNE has been cancelled.

I am wondering if it is lack of demand as I would have been out of HQ about the time it gets abolished for the vaxxed in Qld

Cheers skip

 

[Jenya]

I’ve loved flying with Garuda but they are broke and very unlikely to have any international flights going forward

Oh, that is sad news. Another Skyteam carrier gone form Australia.
Only Korean Air and Vietnam left and both still have no open seats to SYD

 

[sydunipete]

And even then... we abandon our own citizens and make them another country's problem?

That's been the Australian government's approach since the beginning.

 

[justinbrett]

Anyone know what is happening with SQ and/or November caps? Just got a message my 2 Dec flight into BNE has been cancelled.

I am wondering if it is lack of demand as I would have been out of HQ about the time it gets abolished for the vaxxed in Qld

Cheers skip

I don't understand why any airline would want to operate to BNE/PER etc with severe caps when they can fly unrestricted to SYD/MEL.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's been the Australian government's approach since the beginning.

I think this is different. If you fly overseas and get sick while you are there it has always been on the passenger to make their own arrangements until they are able to fly home. Some people travelled without insurance before the pandemic and no doubt they will again now... but that can't be the responsibility of the Aussie government or taxpayers.

Post automatically merged: Oct 26, 2021

I don't understand why any airline would want to operate to BNE/PER etc with severe caps when they can fly unrestricted to SYD/MEL.

They must still be making money on the flight? Premium cabin fares + freight and/or government subsidies?

 

[justinbrett]

They must still be making money on the flight? Premium cabin fares + freight and/or government subsidies?

Yes but more money > some money.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes but more money > some money.

True - but there are probably some limits in place for those other ports... landing slots, reciprocal traffic rights, hotel rooms for crews, outbound demand, etc. It may not be a case that they can simply swap planes from PER/BNE to SYD/MEL. In that case, whatever money they can get is better than no money? (assuming the plane would be sitting idle if not used for PER/BNE)

 

[justinbrett]

True - but there are probably some limits in place for those other ports... landing slots, reciprocal traffic rights, hotel rooms for crews, outbound demand, etc. It may not be a case that they can simply swap planes from PER/BNE to SYD/MEL. In that case, whatever money they can get is better than no money? (assuming the plane would be sitting idle if not used for PER/BNE)

NSW government and SYD airport are spending hundreds of millions trying to attract foreign carriers back, so fairly certain they'd be welcome with open arms if they want to fly to SYD.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I don't understand why any airline would want to operate to BNE/PER etc with severe caps when they can fly unrestricted to SYD/MEL.

Easy. People live in those states and they want/need to get home/come in etc. Qld is still in the dark ages and a direct flight into BNE from overseas is the only sensible way in at the moment. A flight into SYD or MEL is actually worse because that just gets me on the end of the queue of 13,000 waiting -months- to be granted admission. Might become an option Nov 17 but ATM there's only a fluffy one pager.

I think SQ and others would still be losing money hand over fist on these capped flights - I see they have 2 flights a day into BNE so they might be trying to minimise their losses. Hopefully the cuts aren't due to changes to anticipated caps. If it costs you more money to fly than you get in revenue, then the cost effective option is cancel. And return? I paid for a premium cabin out and there were 2 PAX in J. There were as many crew as passengers.

Cheers skip

 

[jakeseven7]

SA’s new rules mean they will be bottom of the list for international flights (per usual I guess!)