Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[MEL_Traveller]

In a press interview yesterday AJ said mid next year.

That's his opinion I guess and he's entitled to it. Other airlines are being more ambitious.

 

[Pushka]

In a press interview yesterday AJ said mid next year.

AJ only runs Qantas

Post automatically merged: Jul 23, 2020

You sure it wasn't April 1st

No. It was released in a radio 12 noon news bulletin.

 

[Gremlin]

AJ only runs Qantas

Post automatically merged: Jul 23, 2020

No. It was released in a radio 12 noon news bulletin.

Frydenberg released his budget update today. In the details were numerous assumptions made in order to make various economic forecasts. Buried deep in Treasury's work was an assumption that international travel, with quarantine, would commence on 1 Jan. They have to have an assumption in there somewhere as it's a not insignificant driver of GDP.

Josh was asked about it and he certainly didn't commit to it, noting it was a variable and subject to a lot of revision as the situation develops.

My take is that it is not really news and doesn't mean anything as it's not an outcome of a policy decision. I suspect Josh was pleased to be answering questions about it though rather than the economic forecasts which look very dire indeed.

 

[p--and--t]

I just heard January 1st!

Bit like the project managers at work who used to tell me they would finish by christmas and then would stammer a bit when I asked which christmas

 

[drron]

There is no doubt International flights will be operating by the beginning of next year.they have already started in some places.
But what as an Australian I want to know is when will we be able to have International flights out of Australia.That's why I believe AJ might be close to the mark as he runs the only major Australian based international airline.I think it is inconceivable that he and his team have not been in discussion with various Government ministers and departments.He is likely to know more than us.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Was listening to the Fitzgibbob-Cormann presser live when the 1 Jan opening date got mentioned. He referred to the 1 Jan estimate as only an estimate used in framing the EFO, but also mentioned that the intent was a progressive opening, citing international students. I’d be guessing that any further loosening would start with business travel with tourism later. No idea where compassionate would be fitted.

Sooner or later the transcript will be available.

cheers skip

 

[jakeseven7]

Working assumption of Jan 1 was just given just to shut everyone up. Wouldn't bet 5 cents on it

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is no doubt International flights will be operating by the beginning of next year.they have already started in some places.
But what as an Australian I want to know is when will we be able to have International flights out of Australia.That's why I believe AJ might be close to the mark as he runs the only major Australian based international airline.I think it is inconceivable that he and his team have not been in discussion with various Government ministers and departments.He is likely to know more than us.

I wouldn't be making an assumption that an airline is being given information ahead of the public, especially on such an important issue as this. An airline may like to set expectations based on their commercial interests... for example so they don't need to employ staff until the last minute... but other airlines may be up and operating and ready to go.

 

[Pushka]

I wouldn't be making an assumption that an airline is being given information ahead of the public, especially on such an important issue as this. An airline may like to set expectations based on their commercial interests... for example so they don't need to employ staff until the last minute... but other airlines may be up and operating and ready to go.

Certainly Qatar and Emirates are flying and likely given lack of inbound traffic thats probably going to suit most peoples needs for the next few months. And discussions are being held with a wide range of entities impacted, not just airlines, about plans soon to be released. In the fullness of time. And much of it positive in terms of moving towards recovery.

 

[CityRail]

I wouldn't bet on 1 Jan as the date international travel will resume as the situation is highly fluid.
I also wonder whether we need a vaccine to restart travel, as if we can develop a drug in the next few months that can reduce the impact of Cornonavirus to flu-like, we should stop any distancing or borders measures.

 

[VPS]

I wouldn't bet on 1 Jan as the date international travel will resume as the situation is highly fluid.
I also wonder whether we need a vaccine to restart travel, as if we can develop a drug in the next few months that can reduce the impact of Cornonavirus to flu-like, we should stop any distancing or borders measures.

I don't meant to be rude but you are, as ever, the eternal optimist - good luck

 

[burmans]

I wouldn't bet on 1 Jan as the date international travel will resume as the situation is highly fluid.
I also wonder whether we need a vaccine to restart travel, as if we can develop a drug in the next few months that can reduce the impact of Cornonavirus to flu-like, we should stop any distancing or borders measures.

These days I'm not even confident we will get to NZ by Jan 1.

 

[jakeseven7]

These days I'm not even confident we will get to NZ by Jan 1.

Im not even confident in the big eastern states getting to Tasmania by Jan 1

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree with our PM. On an interview Thursday night he said he's an optimist. We will have a vaccine. And life will return to normal.

Can't see any harm in that.

Why all the doom and gloom from the pessimists?

 

[StevoQFtraveller]

In the meantime enjoy our own backyard and help in keeping our local tourism industry alive (as long as you're not in Victoria!)

 

[dajop]

(as long as you're not in Victoria!)

As long as you're not in Melbourne/Mitchell shire!

Those of us in regional Victoria can still help the local tourism industry within regional Victoria. For now.

 

[Hvr]

I agree with our PM. On an interview Thursday night he said he's an optimist. We will have a vaccine. And life will return to normal.

The PM isn't a scientist, indeed he disbelieves in science. There will most likely not be a vaccine developed. We'll have to wait for COVID-19 tto reach a natural end like 1918 -19 Spanish flu pandemic.

Life will never be the same for many, many people. With grinding poverty exacerbated by no wages for months, people are already in debt, soon to be homeless and unlikely to work in well paid work again. Those who do get work will probably be stuck in low-paid short term contract work with no benefits, or the so called 'gig' economy.

Many professionals will not work in the same well paid occupation, we're a frequent flyer forum and virtually none of us has stepped on a plane for months where previously we did it so often as to be normal.

Many businesses have either closed their doors forever, or soon will. There are lots of zombie businesses that will cease trading as soon as the Government programs cease giving them money to stay alive. The unemployment rate has a long way to climb before it plateaus let alone going down.

We may not shake hands again, and lots of other social rituals will change in ways we haven't even considered yet.

There will be a new normal, but the old normal has gone, forever. Some people don't even realise what's happening yet, let alone what is going to happen.

 

[Pushka]

PM may not be a scientist but he sure as heck is getting advice from the best we have in Australia.

 

[love_the_life]

In the meantime enjoy our own backyard and help in keeping our local tourism industry alive (as long as you're not in Victoria!)

As long as you aren't in the ACT with nowhere to go. Sydney and the coast are off. We have 80 in self isolation now from visits to the coast.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Why all the doom and gloom from the pessimists?

Because the sky is falling! The sky is falling!