The announcement of a new trans-Tasman, quarantine free travel bubble yesterday (Tuesday April 6) was welcome relief to local accommodation, hospitality and activity operators but also to Queenstown Airport staff who are ramping up their operations to dramatically increase the number of scheduled flights between Australian cities and Queenstown.

The new bubble will begin on Monday April 19 and Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) chief executive Colin Keel said he was “thrilled that quarantine-free travel with Australia will begin before the end of the month”.

“Initially, we are expecting about 40 flights (arrivals and departures) between Australia and Queenstown,” he said.

Direct scheduled services will be operated by Air New Zealand and Qantas between Queenstown and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to start with, and Colin expects Jetstar and Virgin Australia to confirm the recommencement dates for their services, including the Queenstown to Gold Coast route.

Prior to Covid-19, 30 per cent of all passenger arrivals and departures were on trans-Tasman flights. During the 2019 winter season up to 180 flights arrived and departed between Queenstown and Australia each week.

“More than 80 businesses operate at Queenstown and Wanaka airports; the majority are locally owned and the last year has certainly been tough,” Colin said, “[and] many of us in Queenstown, Wanaka and the wider region have been hanging on for the reopening of the border with Australia.”  

All trans-Tasman international airports in New Zealand, including Queenstown Airport, are currently being audited to ensure safe travel is managed. This audit process is due to be complete by April 16.

Passengers flying to and from Australia will fly on aircraft and with aircrew only operating on trans-Tasman flights, and will pass through a “green zone” on arrival at Queenstown.

Only passengers who have been in Australia for 14 days or more will be permitted to fly to New Zealand and vice versa. 

QAC has been working with the Southern District Health Board in preparation for a return of international flights and vaccinations of airport staff and their close contacts will begin this Saturday (April 10). 

PHOTO: Supplied