As international flights resume, could Queensland be left behind?

Queenslanders could remain grounded while residents of other states head overseas in December.

By David Flynn, September 24 2021
As international flights resume, could Queensland be left behind?

Australia's international borders are set to reopen in December, but Queenslanders could remain grounded as overseas flights take to the skies.

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week pushed back on the nationally-agreed plan to unlock Queensland's state borders and restart international travel once the country reaches the 80% 'double-jab' vaccination milestone.

Speaking with media at a press conference yesterday, Palaszczuk claimed the national plan had not been finalised, with further modelling by the expert Doherty Institute still to be shared with state and territory leaders tabled before the next national cabinet meeting.

"The Doherty modelling has not been released publicly... but 80% will mean different things to different states," she said.

She also cast doubt on whether Queenslanders might be able to travel overseas before the end of the year, following a promise by federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan that the country's international borders would be unlocked by Christmas.

"We have to stick to the national plan that will see our international border open up – at this rate by Christmas at the latest," Tehan told the  National Press Club on Wednesday.

"People will be able to freely travel outside of Australia, with no restrictions or no limitation... obviously, it will be dependent on the requirements that are put in place of the countries that they are travelling with."

Vaccine passports, home quarantine

Tehan confirmed that Australia is in negotiations with several countries to establish quarantine-free "travel bubbles", alongside ongoing trials of  home quarantine for travellers returning from other destinations, while the government's 'vaccination passport' QR code system has been sent to Australia's overseas embassies for compatibility checks with other country's systems.

"What we've seen so far and all the reports back, is that the QR code system – which has obviously been modelled on the international aviation organisation's model of what they think is needed in a QR code – seems to be interoperable with most of the countries that we've been dealing with,” he said.

"So that when those international borders open, hopefully at the latest by Christmas, that Australians will be able to travel with a QR code link to their passport which will be able to show a proof of vaccination."

Qantas intends to resume international flights from December 18. While most of the first wave of flights spear out from Sydney and Melbourne, the schedule lists Brisbane-Singapore and Brisbane-Los Angeles from December 19, 2021, with Brisbane-Noumea from January 8, 2022 and Brisbane-San Francisco from February 14, 2022.

Fiji Airways also plans to relaunch flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane by December 1 as the Pacific nation gears up for the return of international tourists, while Hawaiian Airlines is also eyeing a return to Sydney and Brisbane from mid-December.

Brisbane flyers left behind?

However, as previously reported, Qantas has said it's prepared to leave Brisbane and Perth off its overseas reboot if Queensland and similarly recalcitrant Western Australia insist on keeping their states closed after reaching the 80% vaccination threshold.

"It is a national plan, and it's our view... we should open up together," Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully told a Tourism Australia webinar earlier this month.

"But if not, we can plan for scenarios that Sydney and Melbourne can open up," she said, adding that "it's not ideal", but the airline needed to get moving again.

"We're excited to see that Australians want to travel. We think as soon as borders open up there will be large influx of demand."

WA Premier Mark McGowan recently said the state's 'hard border' would likely come down in "February, March or April – I suspect it will be one of those months."

This could see Qantas' flagship Perth-London route temporarily rerouted to fly to London via Darwin should WA remain closed.

The airline says it "is investigating using Darwin as a transit point, which has been Qantas' main entry for repatriation flights, as an alternative (or in addition) to its existing Perth hub given conservative border policies in Western Australia."

Qantas expects non-stop flights between Australia and London will be even more popular in the post-Covid era.

"I think it would be a terrible shame, if when we got to Christmas, from NSW you could visit your relatives in London, but can't visit your relatives in Perth," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has said.

Also read: Qantas once ordered 20 Airbus A380s, but only ten will fly again

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

but premiers don't control international borders

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1205

...but the Federal Government won't authorise international travel from Qld if she believes Vic and NSW are too dangerous to reopen to.  QF aren't interested in getting in the middle of a federal/state stoush and will find it just as easy to concentrate on SYD and MEL.  If Queenslanders can't travel, they can take that up with their state government.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

And another alternative option is the Federal Government just repeal the biosecurity act controls and let anyone in who would be eligible to arrive into Sydney, to also arrive into Brisbane.  Then once they've left the Commonwealth Designated Place (BNE airport) they become Annastasia's problem.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Jun 2014

Total posts 210

@Antysyd Can't see that happening. It would be political suicide for the Federal Govt, there's alot of important seats up there and the recent state election showed that's Palaczuk's closed border policies are very popular for the time being. I'd hope she comes to the table with a concrete plan of action before that would happen regardless.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

09 Jun 2016

Total posts 17

I highly doubt any Australian is going overseas this year or the start of next year. 

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 208

I already have twice this year and I will be again. Your assessment is wrong. Completely!

The few airlines still flying into Oz, have cancelled tens of thousands of inbound tickets up until end of December2021.  What do you know, that they don’t?  At best there will be a small number of passengers allowed to leave (without an exemption) from NSW and SA, as they will be booked into the home quarantine programs.  I am not aware of any other states planning home quarantine at this stage.  BTW any quarantine or isolation currently in Sydney or Melbourne is completely pointless.  Delta is already there and international arrivals will not make any difference.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 208

It’s happening. Definitely. 

JB123 

I'm extremely confident international borders will be open early November 2021, when we hit 80% & everyone vaxxed will be able to fly out.

State borders ?

Who knows.

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 520

I'm confident a small number of Aussies will be able to travel overseas starting in December, and some Aussies will also be able to return home then. November? 50/50.

I'm even more confident that things will look brighter in January/February of 2022.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

09 Jun 2016

Total posts 17

Ill be back in March 2022 to see how this aged ;)

I'm confident a huge number of Australians will go overseas in Nov & Dec 2021. Why not ? Pent up demand is huge.

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 669

"but she's keeping us safe"

07 Nov 2020

Total posts 39

In the words of the Queensland Premier, everyone needs to calm down.  Queensland will not be left behind.  Not sure why everyone in NSW and VIC are so obsessed with what QLD is/isn't doing.  Surely they have enough problems of their own?  Meanwhile in QLD there are zero cases, no lockdowns, and life goes on as normal.  I'd say QLD and WA are in a far better position to emerge from the crisis stronger than NSW and VIC.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Nov 2011

Total posts 362

Queensland and WA will indeed be left behind if they don’t open up. There is no other alternative.

30 Aug 2013

Total posts 5

not with the vaccination rates they have or their infrastructure - they are the ones letting the country down plus their propaganda 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Jun 2014

Total posts 210

Within the state sure there's more freedoms currently, but large scale international travel is simply incompatible with COVID 0 - most of the world is now living alongside the virus. 

Saw some WA based commenters on another forum questioning why SYD/MEL would be first in line for overseas travel when PER "Was managing COVID so much better". They are really living in their own little world over there...

Jmb
Jmb

20 Sep 2019

Total posts 14

And here is another example of one of the worst by-products of COVID, the selfishness and blindsightedness of Australians, the mentality that i am not affected so there is no problem. 

Life does not go on as normal here

BCOZ, Qld is a tourist dominated state. All of us in the tourism industry are being absolutely anhilated. While it might be nice for some of you to be able to walk into your local cafe and have no tourists around to take your seats or cause queues, or it is easy to get carparks or whatever because there is no tourism, businesses here are on their knees. So many are on the verge of failing with many already gone and hardworking passionate peoples lives ruined after, for some years and even decades, of dedication to their business. 

Political games, politcal propaganda and fear mongering has brianwashed and hoodwinked such a large number of the ppluation into this completely false misbelief that QLD is fine and we are business as usual. We are far from it. Come down to the southern end of the Gold Coast and see for yourself the absolute devastation of business and activity and a quickly sliding glimmer of any hope for the future. 

Our disgraceful QLD government's abysmal incompetence and political game playing could sadly haunt us for years into the future with the potential of the southern states population boycotting our tourism and our state because of the policies being forced upon us all to keep hold of the power and control they have taken over during COVID.

It is abolutely disgraceful. 

If Queensland opened its border, it would be in lockdown until Xmas within a week.  What would that achieve for the tourism industry?  That would plunge Tourism many other industries into an even worse position.  Sydney and Melbourne residents are not even allowed to leave their own city, let alone travel interstate.  Qld Tourism is just going to have to manage with a limited local customer base until Qld is fully vaccinated.  There are no quick fixes.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

That boycott is real unfortunately. 

I personally go to Queensland, including regional Queensland away from the coast 4-5 times a year. In 2022 I’ve booked the Sofitel in Fiji. That’s $3000 Queenslanders won’t be seeing. 

You’ll need to change premier to get me back.

09 Sep 2021

Total posts 15

BCOZ, I'm sorry but being denied to leave your State of Queensland is NOT normal. 

"Normal " is to come and go freely, whether it be interstate or overseas.  Queensland and WA are living in a permanent state of denial. 

Actually you can leave Qld and WA.  It’s NSW and Victoria where you can not leave the state.  Life is much more normal in Qld and WA than the Covid states.  

Make no mistake, this is to detract from their abysmal roll out. Qld and WA will likely reach 80% 1-2 months after NSW and Vic. Supply is no longer an issue but no doubt Premiers will try to pull that one for as long as they can whilst providing no incentive to get vaccinated in their states. 

who cares when individual states get to 80%. The borders open when we hit 80% on average nationally. Qld had more vaccinations than any other state last weekend. You don't even need to book in Brisbane. Just walk into a chemist & get it in 5 mins.

The Federal government has pumped almost half of the available vaccine into NSW.  Victoria and ACT have also been favoured but not as much as NSW.  That is why the other states are behind.  They have generously shared their vaccine with the Covid states and then they are accused of holding Australia back.

24 Aug 2011

Total posts 1205

NT is also being a bit unclear on what its plans are regarding opening its state borders.  If it decides to remain closed to Vic and NSW, I'd expect QF9 to resume as MEL-SIN-LHR which has the added benefit of giving more traffic through SIN making the reopening of lounges in that key hub more economic.

31 Aug 2021

Total posts 3

Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I can't see the international border restrictions being lifted until end of next year.   

06 Feb 2021

Total posts 59

Not only do I think you're being pessimistic, I do wonder if you've been reading the papers or listening to the news.  There is absolutely no way in the world Scooter is going to call a Federal Election while the international borders are still closed, Tehan and the rest of the ministry are well aware of that, and are speaking accordingly.  Irrespective of any other reason for opening up, like common sense when we reach 80%, politically it HAS to occur as soon as possible. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Jan 2018

Total posts 51

Fingers and toes crossed international border (outbound) is opening sooooonn... but I can see a situation whereby outbound international border opens for just a short period of time before state premiers start complaining about quarantine space being overloaded due to too many outbound travellers who are coming back, or lack of enforcement of home quarantine (despite thousands doing home quarantine as of now without problems), or other creative excuses, just enough to lock people in and keep the money flowing within the states and Australia and not overseas.

I hope I am wrong.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 208

Economic factors rule. International borders are opening. Count on it. 

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 520

Elijah - I am quite sure there is enough momentum for borders to reopen in December. There might even be some limited travel beginning in November.

What is fairly certain at this point is that at the beginning, international travel will be more restrictive than pre-March 2020, but over time I think many of the current restrictions will be eased or lifted entirely. By thr end of 2022 I am hoping we'll be back to normal, unrestricted travel.

Perhaps I'm being too optimistic, but my opinion seems to be shared by travel experts, some economists and various government spokespeople in different countries. Of course end of 2022 could become sometime in 2023, but the point is we are getting closer to the re-start of travel, and we have to start somewhere.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

05 Sep 2013

Total posts 47

I think it will most like end up with her saying “we won’t open international borders till 80% of the whole Queensland population is vaccinated”, and not over 16+ population as been pushed by the federal government. But then again i'm not in Queensland, so what do I know.

RE: Qantas not starting international flights ex-Queensland, it's just a bargaining tactic for subsidies or marketing partnership with QLD tourism, to offset potential losses.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Aug 2015

Total posts 5

My gut feel is that QLD will never reach 80% rate.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Aug 2014

Total posts 157

Agree.

Exactly! So why leave a negative comment on what you think then? Some on here think it’s a flaming state of origin game. Honestly thought this community was a little above that!

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 962

I personally think if NSW (Gladys) opens up to international travel 100% for vaccinated people, NSW should stand firm that only NSW residents, people holidaying or studying in NSW be allowed to enter via a NSW airport. How many Qlders etc have come through NSW to return home? If Qld wants to play that game play by their rules, so many people are talking about boycotting Qld all together in the future.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

We have a pro-business government here in NSW.  We can simply charge Queenslanders a $5,000 processing fee, payable in advance (so they don't rip up the bill).  Consider it an arrival tax.

30 Aug 2013

Total posts 5

and WA - will be taking my money to Fiji :)

Gladys has beaten you to it.  The NSW trial home quarantine program is for NSW residents only.  How else can NSW manage home Quarantine for residents of other states.  Besides if Qld borders were still locked, Qlders who managed to escape, would not be able to get back in to Qld.  

01 Nov 2017

Total posts 17

The bigger picture here is that after months of not having a re-opening plan and targets, we finally got the four stage "national plan" with defined % targets for reopening. This gave people some hope, a target to work towards and an incentive to come out and get vaccinated. Now that this is becoming a reality and we are edging closer to achieving the targets, a number of states seem to be find alternate reasons/excuses as to why they dont want to open up. I'm not discrediting all the reasons, but you can see how this may cause frustration amongst certain people when they have worked so hard to come out and get vaccinated only to be told that the goal posts are changing again and they might not be able to see their loved ones interstate. Credit is due to the key states (like NSW and VIC) for sticking with the plan (with some restrictions which are highly appropriate).

26 Mar 2020

Total posts 65

It was always going to happen it stopped being about "health reasons" long ago and is now purely politics.

When we reach 80% in Qld she will change it to 90% then when we reach 90% they will say cm'on only another 5% to go to 95% 

it's not about Qld it's about national AVERAGE !!!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Jun 2014

Total posts 210

Agree - although let's not forget NSW/VIC now have no choice but to follow the plan and vast majority of citizens support it given they are in lockdown and the COVID 0 horse has bolted.

A good thing we've been forced to abandon that fallacy - No one wanted to have the delibrate end to COVID 0 conversation as is now evident in other states - I like keep my lockdown spirits up by thinking of it as short term pain for long term gain as it means we've got a real chance of finally being reunited with UK family!

27 Feb 2014

Total posts 4

It's going to be interesting to watch the extent to which interstate travel will return, whenever all borders do open. Given the rhetoric that's come out of WA targeted at those of us on the East Coast, and in NSW in particular,  'Brand WA' as a tourist destination has taken a real battering.  Not hard to imagine that inbound tourist travel from the East to Perth will take a very long time to recover to pre-pandemic levels, if it ever does, particularly when more and more overseas destinations open up to us.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

Yup, anger is white hot about this issue.  Article in 'The Australian' has over 1,000 comments.

Not only did WA refuse to share vaccines early on in the NSW outbreak, they criticised the request altogether. You only need to take a glimpse at the WA vaccination rates to see that it was never about propping up their rates but all about politics at the expense of people living in NSW. 

WA has demonstrated that they're not willing to support Australians in their time of need, so why should I spend my hard earned monies supporting a state so inclined on keeping us out. I've now booked a trip to NT, Qld, Singapore and Thailand, and will look to schedule my second trip since the start of Covid to Tasmania. WA will not be on my list for years to come. 

11 Apr 2018

Total posts 12

so if this plays out and international flights resume from NSW and Vic, what's to stop motivated interstate travellers from flying domestic to a state that has international departures? it will be the catalyst to re-open as people have had enough of the politics. regretfully this means some states will miss out on tourism revenue for the short term.

05 Mar 2015

Total posts 416

I suspect AP isn't just talking about keeping borders locked down for international travel, she's talking about domestic travel as well, so if you wanted to fly BNE-SYD-SIN for example, you'd have to get the special exemption for crossing the QLD border which might only be permitted for urgent essential travel, and then probably face quarantine on your return to BNE, even if there's a quarantine-free 'bubble' between Australia and Singapore.

26 Mar 2020

Total posts 65

In that Scenario, you could easily fly out of QLD but returning to Queensland will be the issue - you will need an exemption to reenter QLD after arriving from SIN to SYD

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

How do they go home again?  They might be able to go BNE-SYD-Int but how does Int-SYD-BNE-Wellcamp look?

11 Apr 2018

Total posts 12

my comment was based on exiting the country, re-entry on the other hand will take some effort; however it also depends on your travel plans - extended trips of several weeks or months might miss all the hoopla. i don't believe residents of laggard states will sit back and watch everyone else jetting off - too many expats trapped in country now who want to visit family for many reasons. we've got to get there first - mass departures are contingent to when we achieve a national average of 80% vax rates, like flights there can be delays...

https://www.pm.gov.au/sites/default/files/media/national-plan-to-transition-australias-national-covid-19-response-30-july-2021.pdf

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

12 Apr 2017

Total posts 208

NSW will lead the way. Get the borders open. The appetite for international travel will most likely amaze the scared hermit minority. 

12 Aug 2020

Total posts 16

Tourists will fly out of Brisbane via Sydney. Easy

12 Aug 2020

Total posts 16

NSW and Vic tourism will soar just in time for Xmas. 

24 Oct 2010

Total posts 2558

Just a note to readers: while we appreciate the comments and opinions being shared here, and we understand the clear political aspect to this issue, please try not to focus purely on politics and the politicians, and keep personal sledging and slamming of politicians aside – the last thing we want is to have this comments thread devolve into a series of back-and-forth political arguments and attacks from either side of the fence.

26 Mar 2020

Total posts 65

Thanks, Dave I agree although it's hard as never before have we had such severe restrictions enforced on the very thing we all love and have in common here (and that is flying and travelling).

No matter what side of the fence we sit on - one thing we all have in common is our love for travel, flying and Aviation.

I do personally think its time for the Travel and Aviation industry as a whole to start lobbying and applying pressure on Govt at all levels to commit to re-opening aviation and international borders and becoming a bit more vocal we as a community have been very patient and have done the right thing including getting vaccinated - its time the govt play their part too. 

06 Feb 2021

Total posts 59

I'm sure Alan Joyce has probably had, hmm, how shall we put it, " robust discussions," with numerous members of the Government over the last year and a bit, and I'd say a few other operators large and small have done likewise.  I'd expect many state tourism operators have their Premier on speed dial by now. 

I'd be very surprised if  those State Governments that choose not to open up when others do, don't receive an absolute barrage of pressure from the industry in their State to alter their decision as they watch tourism dollars go elsewhere.   I can well understand WA's determination to stay Covid free, but if as a result Qantas looks to alter the route and they permanently lose the Melbourne-Perth-London QF9/10 flights, there will be some very unhappy tourism operators out west.  

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

Couldn't agree more with your comment.  You saw the reaction from Mark McGowan when QF threatened to reroute the nonstop LHR services.

It's amazed me that Alan Joyce has played along with the premiers.  He could simply ground QF in the resource states to prove a point.  

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 May 2014

Total posts 468

Ground QF in WA?  Wow, aside from intrastate services dominating their current revenues, how long before the demand was picked up by VA and REX?  Don't forget the Chairman of QF lives in WA.  I'm sure he has had a word or two with McGowan.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

All airlines could do it. The premiers wouldn’t last a week.

It’s not like Alan doesn’t have form for grounding the airline, and this is much more existential than the industrial dispute.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

I think the real issue is that both WA and Qld have very dispersed and vulnerable populations to be vaccinated and they won’t open until that happens (hence WAs later dates), second they have a very high level of public support for a fairly low level of cases (see election results) and so don’t want a premature outbreak to occur; and finally Qld is next to the anti vaccer centre of Australia around the Northern Rivers of NSW. So if it’s after Christmas rather than before so be it, but I suspect both WA and Qld will open before XMas with 80% double jabbed, with Wellcamp quarantine centre getting a good workout.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

22 May 2018

Total posts 67

Unfortunately the Stockholm syndrome runs supreme here in Qld, just check with my neighbors. . I'm 70, have had major kidney problems (cancer) and really want to cross a couple extra things off my bucket list before I drop off the planet. previously I have seen how they put a car together (BMW in Munich).. a volcano.. a chopper flight with the doors off over the volcano in Hawaii..the last two are seeing how they put a plane together in Seattle and an iceberg. That plus some more travel.. but with the carry on locally... I look like having to move south permanently.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

02 Dec 2016

Total posts 47

As a Melburnian, please don't move to Victoria (A dumpster mess here)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Jan 2018

Total posts 124

Hoping you get those opportunities! If you do go to Seattle, be sure to stay at the Hyatt Regency Washington lake. It’s facing the 737 factory with the runway in view from the hotel. We were lucky to see an Aeroflot 737 take off on it’s test flight while kayaking on the lake. The Renton factory is also amazing. Seeing the 787 in pieces was quite interesting. 

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

10 Jun 2020

Total posts 17

It may of been said but this is what I see. NSW will be a ale to go overseas. We don’t close borders (very rare) so anyone from the states in question guess what they will fly to Sydney and away. On return they will fly home via Sydney and quarantine for 14 days. If there is a hard border just go to a state where there they don’t have a hard border stay there for 14 days then go hone. It if time but many I can see do this. 

What I would like to know though is what is everything going tj look like 12 months from now are we going to have to quarantine still? 

Also has everyone noticed the last 6 months overseas positive cases are ultra low now. ? Vaccine rates overseas and the covid test before works 

KW72 Banned
KW72 Banned

17 Jun 2020

Total posts 238

Given that Queensland hospitals are only for Queensland people, it is essential that NSW Airports are only protected for NSW people. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 377

Anna loves games so you never know what will happen with Queensland borders until the eleventh hour. If a sporting game was reliant on it, it would be a clearer picture.

Fingers crossed common sense prevails as many are wanting to reunite with family and friends, and politics should never get in the way of this.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

18 Aug 2020

Total posts 34

That approach is incompatible with having any forward bookings for Christmas, which will transfer to NSW. 

QF

02 Oct 2012

Total posts 45

QF can move their capacity to MEL/SYD and we can all travel and see the world, residents of Queensland and WA can sit and look at one another for a few more months?  Sounds easy to me

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jan 2014

Total posts 320

Most people I talk to don’t care about coming back to Qld, they are not going overseas for a week or two, they will be there for a while, if Brisbane is closed they will just fly out through Sydney. Meanwhile in Qld our delusional premier thinks most people will be happy to holiday at home again, these school holidays prove otherwise, the tourism industry in Qld is on its knees.

07 May 2020

Total posts 151

International flights are resuming. I am leaving Sydney tomorrow for Frankfurt with Singapore Airlines. I am not medicated, nor do I have to quarantine in Germany upon arrival. I like everyone else intending to fly into Germany, medicated or not, will have to pay for a PCR test prior to boarding. Thank God I am finally escaping. Coming back to Qz will be a whole different exoerience but I am not intending to do so anytime soon. So International One Way flights out have resumed, but getting back is a whole different challenge and in my view, not going to happen until at least mid 2022 unless one wants to do the usual mandatory 14 day expensive quarantine. No exclusions for antivaxxers or jabaholics.

Just some updated information Singapore had 1443 covid cases yesterday and are expecting them to hit 3000 by the end of next week.

The government is still telling us to stay cautious and the country is at 82% with the vaccination and hopefully 100% by December 1.I have lived in Singapore for 11 years and i would like to get back to see my family it has been 2 years my travel agent told me yesterday i can get 2 seats QF December 18 to Brisbane and or Feb 3 2 seats to Brisbane.

She said it is the caps that the Australian government has put on arrivals that is making it very difficuilt for us to get back so once they lift those caps I believe Queensland will open up hopefully by the new year?. 

08 May 2020

Total posts 85

The commercial situation will sort itself out. 

The Federal Government declares the International Borders open. The States then have their Covid Health act with Queensland and WA most likely  Quarantine every traveller for 2 weeks for $3000.00 where as some other States allow fully vaccinated Travellers a rapid test on arrival and register the States QR code and travel plans.  It will be almost certain that no empty Planes will fly to Perth or Brisbane. Maybe an arrival Tax to other State Australians who have closed Borders would be quite appropriate.

09 Sep 2021

Total posts 15

I just worry that as soon as someone sneezes, all borders will slam shut again. 

Can we all agree that we must learn to live with this vius?

I've got more than enough credits from Jetstar,  Virgin and Qantas. Book an interstate flight, lockdown. Book another,  lockdown.  Over and over. Give me strength!

KT
KT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jan 2018

Total posts 4

A question ; Which countries are recognizing our locally produced Astra Zeneca? Is there any info on that yet?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jul 2018

Total posts 27

Hi KT,

I have researched this question as I am keen to go back to my "endless summer" life between Sunshine Coast and Toronto.    Astra Zeneca, or AZD1222 as it is now known is recognised across the globe by WHO as an effective vaccine.   The most production is in India but all varieties are made under licence issued by the Oxford inventors and meet all the necessary guidelines.   Happy Travels

06 Nov 2017

Total posts 4

I think Gladys has realised that there will always be deaths no matter the rates of vaccination and people in NSW have accepted that. 

Anna has to realise that even if you have 100% vaccination rate , people might still die to Covid. Unfortunately she has to walk back her zero case utopia . That will never happen . 

Vaccinated people still carry the disease and Vaccinated people still have a chance of dying of Covid. That is the sad part of a pandemic but unfortunately life has to move on.


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