Government to announce clearance on April 6, 2021
Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 23, 2021
Airlines have already plans in place to operate services to Australia and the Cook Islands.
Board of Airlines New Zealand (BARNZ) Executive Director Justin Tighe-Umbers said that airline operators are ‘95% ready to go.’
“Final bits will be put in place once the date for quarantine-free, Trans-Tasman travel is announced on April 6, 2021. We understand that the government must be satisfied that it has worked through the regulatory, technical and practical items that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern outlined. The aviation sector has been working closely with the ministries on some of these items,” he said.
Rising demand to travel
Mr Tighe-Umbers said that BARNZ members are reporting pent up demand, especially from people with family or friends in Australia and the Cook Islands.
“They have all heard plenty of stories of events like weddings being delayed, babies not meeting grandparents and families and friends missing each other. Trans-Tasman travel really needs to start in April 2021,” he said.
Ms Ardern signalled the opening of quarantine-free flights to Australia and the Cook Islands at a time when the aviation industry was facing further loss of jobs.
Aviation sector crashes
Covid-19 has gutted aviation globally, with airlines reporting loses in the billions (of dollars), Mr Tighe-Umbers said, adding that the number of airlines flying passengers to New Zealand reduced from 30 to 12 and direct connections to cities overseas dropped from 44 to 17.
“More routes under threat. The Trans-Tasman decision, coupled with the government’s $170 million extension of assistance to airlines through to October, is encouraging for the whole aviation sector. Airlines are not alone in having to recall people, get them recertified or retrained to meet regulatory requirements, and to align new schedules. All the businesses that support air travel are having to reignite too,” he said.
Stating that the logistics of rebooting aviation are complex, Mr Tighe-Umbers said that airlines are ready to take off as soon as the government gives the green light.
“BARNZ members are certainly hoping the start date will be no longer than three weeks after April 6, 2021,” he said.
About BARNZ
The Board of Airlines Representatives of New Zealand Inc is the respected and trusted voice of the airline industry in New Zealand. Working closely with the government, regulators, businesses and local communities, it provides cost savings and service improvements to member airlines. BARNZ also creates an environment that fosters continued, sustainable growth for them in New Zealand.
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