Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Must...Fly!]

Good news. Still a fair way from being able to confidently travel like we used to, but the moves are mostly in the right direction. Look forward to a long weekend in the future in Singapore if things continue to loosen.

 

[burmans]

We still need a clearer direction locally that tourists can come here but I suspect that’s at most weeks away.

 

[Telemachus]

Sorry if this is explained earlier, but for what travel purpose do you need to do this? Is this for entry into the UK that requires vaccination certificate linked in this way?

I am travelling to the USA and am a dual-citizen with current international certificate on my AU passport, but will need to travel on the USA passport. But as a US citizen I don't have any vaccination requirement to enter the US, so I think this won't be needed?

As I understand it, the need for dual citizens to obtain two international certificates (one linked to each passport) stems from two considerations:

1. Australia has designed and implemented the system to work like this. The international certificates bear the subject’s passport number so the intent is that you have an additional certificate showing the ‘right’ passport number when flying on a foreign passport. In my case it may actually not be a problem to enter the UK on a UK passport plus an international certificate showing my Australian passport number; but I’m just doing what is intended for dual citizens in the system Australia has chosen.
2. The UK’s treatment of international arrivals has switched (like most countries) to determining how you are managed principally according to vaccination status. Acceptable proof of vaccination is key to this: there are much more onerous requirements (quarantine, additional testing) for those who cannot produce an acceptable credential. By obtaining a certificate linked to the passport I’m using I expect to reduce the risk of any glitch – at check-in here and on arrival in UK – with UK Border Force.

I know rather less about US immigration requirements but, as @Flashback has said, you may want to look at the new rules coming in shortly. See this link to CDC guidance. For US citizens it looks like proof of vaccination will still not be mandatory but has an effect on the allowable window for pre-flight testing.

 

[roogirl]

As I understand it, the need for dual citizens to obtain two international certificates (one linked to each passport) stems from two considerations:

1. Australia has designed and implemented the system to work like this. The international certificates bear the subject’s passport number so the intent is that you have an additional certificate showing the ‘right’ passport number when flying on a foreign passport. In my case it may actually not be a problem to enter the UK on a UK passport plus an international certificate showing my Australian passport number; but I’m just doing what is intended for dual citizens in the system Australia has chosen.
2. The UK’s treatment of international arrivals has switched (like most countries) to determining how you are managed principally according to vaccination status. Acceptable proof of vaccination is key to this: there are much more onerous requirements (quarantine, additional testing) for those who cannot produce an acceptable credential. By obtaining a certificate linked to the passport I’m using I expect to reduce the risk of any glitch – at check-in here and on arrival in UK – with UK Border Force.

I know rather less about US immigration requirements but, as @Flashback has said, you may want to look at the new rules coming in shortly. See this link to CDC guidance. For US citizens it looks like proof of vaccination will still not be mandatory but has an effect on the allowable window for pre-flight testing.

I live in the U.K. & am in the US at the moment (travelled a couple of days ago) - was not asked about my vaccination status at the US border, I showed my hard copy NHS covid pass on check in at Heathrow and that was it. The required PCR test had to be linked to the passport I was travelling on. And that’s it.

And have never done anything at Heathrow / inbound to the U.K. other than show the paper covid pass. I wouldn’t stress too much about it when outside australia, they seem to be the only ones obsessed with all these different digital solutions.

 

[justinbrett]

Australia added to Singapore’s quarantine-free VTL from 8 Nov

Vaccinated travellers from Australia, Switzerland can enter S'pore without quarantine from Nov 8

S'pore residents looking to head to Australia for leisure travel have to wait a bit longer for a two-way trip without quarantine. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Alright, so what do we need Darwin for now?

Until such time that the NT allows quarantine free arrivals from interstate and overseas, QF may as well operate through SIN. Less fuel burn to start with.

 

[mviy]

There is the risk of travel rules changing if there's an outbreak. QF may have got a commitment from the NT government that they will allow the flights to proceed no matter what so that nothing short of the Australian or UK government's changing international travel rules would stop the flights. Whereas if they fly via SIN, a change to travel rules to/from SIN could wreak havoc on the schedule.

QF would probably like some certainty over the coming months. Then as we get closer to the European summer if things are still looking good they may move the SYD flights back via SIN, but keep the MEL flights flying via DRW or shift those back to via PER.

 

[Telemachus]

And have never done anything at Heathrow / inbound to the U.K. other than show the paper covid pass. I wouldn’t stress too much about it when outside australia, they seem to be the only ones obsessed with all these different digital solutions.

Indeed! I was being polite about Australia's overly complex high tech secure solution. And I know from others' recent experience that issues at the UK border are most unlikely so long as one has an Australian vaccination certificate, hard copy or digital, and there is no UK requirement for the certificate to be linked to any particular passport.

 

[justinbrett]

There is the risk of travel rules changing if there's an outbreak. QF may have got a commitment from the NT government that they will allow the flights to proceed no matter what so that nothing short of the Australian or UK government's changing international travel rules would stop the flights. Whereas if they fly via SIN, a change to travel rules to/from SIN could wreak havoc on the schedule.

QF would probably like some certainty over the coming months. Then as we get closer to the European summer if things are still looking good they may move the SYD flights back via SIN, but keep the MEL flights flying via DRW or shift those back to via PER.

Of the two jurisdictions, NT will blink long before Singapore if there's an outbreak.

NT will just keep the pax onboard and refuel the plane - and if it's just going to be just that, QF could do that literally anywhere, and save a lot of money.

 

[Pushka]

Happy dance

So, your plan?

 

[Maisy33]

I see Jetstar are advertising flights from Perth to Bali next year. Wonder if Mark will let us out......my happy place is volunteering in a cat shelter just outside Ubud

 

[love_the_life]

I see Jetstar are advertising flights from Perth to Bali next year. Wonder if Mark will let us out......my happy place is volunteering in a cat shelter just outside Ubud

Fingers crossed for you then.

 

[Tiki]

Australia added to Singapore’s quarantine-free VTL from 8 Nov

Vaccinated travellers from Australia, Switzerland can enter S'pore without quarantine from Nov 8

S'pore residents looking to head to Australia for leisure travel have to wait a bit longer for a two-way trip without quarantine. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

I am confused about how VTL works. Is it only for people going Australia - Singapore - Australia?
What about transiting from a non-VTL country but not leavng the airport?
IST-SIN-BNE

 

[andye]

I am confused about how VTL works. Is it only for people going Australia - Singapore - Australia?
What about transiting from a non-VTL country but not leavng the airport?
IST-SIN-BNE

I have non-VTL flights booked from UK for December
A bit twitchy that SQ may declare my current SIN-SYD flight VTL which I would be ineligible for having transited HKG

 

[ayushamity]

Mission Accomplished after 18 months!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am confused about how VTL works. Is it only for people going Australia - Singapore - Australia?
What about transiting from a non-VTL country but not leavng the airport?
IST-SIN-BNE

There a comprehensive page here: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/transit-through-singapore/ But no 'one minute guide'... there are layers of requirements.

From what I can understand... VTL countries/flights can be to/from any VTL country.

If you are not travelling to/from a VTL country then the regular covid provisions apply - so you need to be on an approved connection through the airport.

Different rules seem to apply for those in transit (not entering) Singapore. If you are from a VTL country you are free to roam the airport, if not you have to follow the quarantine/segregation processes in place.

 

[Pushka]

Happy dance

Also. Just so you know. Dancing is still banned in SA until 90%. So I can't do your happy dance just yet.

 

[Tiki]

I am trying to use up 73k SQ that will expire in April 2022. This VTL is just adding to my stress now.
SQ hasn't even loaded inventory for awards to/from BNE yet. If they add it at all. Apparently some airlines are skittish about Qld and WA.

Turkey is almost at 80% double dose. Maybe they may be added to VTL? Their cases are high but less than the UK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am trying to use up 73k SQ that will expire in April 2022. This VTL is just adding to my stress now.
SQ hasn't even loaded inventory for awards to/from BNE yet. If they add it at all. Apparently some airlines are skittish about Qld and WA.

Turkey is almost at 80% double dose. Maybe they may be added to VTL? Their cases are high but less than the UK.

I don't think there's anything to worry about regarding VTL, or whether Turkey is added to the VTL list. You can still travel AU-Turkey on SQ, it is an approved connecting flight via Singapore for SQ-SQ. VTL grants you extra privileges, but is not the exclusive criteria for travel.

 

[jase05]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1453087762198917120

 

[Pushka]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1453087762198917120

Just saw this reported as stated by Morrison. So Jase, as an Adelaide person, can you confirm that any quarantine for international returnees after Nov 23 has 7 days quarantine but at home for fully vaxxed.