Qantas has outlined their preparations for restarting its international flights.
The company’s current strategy suggests flights will begin from Australia to COVID-safe countries starting from December, 2021. These countries will likely include include Singapore, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Fiji, and Canada.
The airline’s current international flights strategy will be determined by Australia’s vaccine rollout and the COVID status in other countries. If Australia reaches its goal of 80% vaccination by December 2021, that would trigger the gradual reopening of international borders and this Qantas flights. Similarly, key markets like the UK, North America and parts of Asia have high and increasing levels of vaccination. This makes them highly likely to be classed as low risk countries for vaccinated travellers to visit and return from under reduced quarantine requirements, pending decisions by the Australian government and entry policies of other countries.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce explains the strategy’s rollout is dependent on Australia’s vaccination success.
“The prospect of flying overseas might feel a long way off, especially with New South Wales and Victoria in lockdown, but the current pace of the vaccine rollout means we should have a lot more freedom in a few months’ time,” Joyce says.
“It’s obviously up to government exactly how and when our international borders re-open, but with Australia on track to meet the 80 per cent trigger agreed by National Cabinet by the end of the year, we need to plan ahead for what is a complex restart process.”
The CEO says that it’s better to be prepared, even if they are being overly optimistic.
“We can adjust our plans if the circumstances change, which we’ve already had to do several times during this pandemic. Some people might say we’re being too optimistic, but based on the pace of the vaccine rollout, this is within reach and we want to make sure we’re ready.”