Love Actually moment: Relief as first flight to Perth departs in time for Christmas dinner

Excitement, emotion and even signs of optimism bubbled over at Adelaide Airport’s Gate 26 as the route to WA finally reopened.

Michael Charters with partner Banyana Molefe is excited to introduce the couple’s daughter to family in Perth. Picture Emma Brasier.

It was the perfect scene for a prequel to festive favourite Love Actually at Adelaide's Adelaide Gate 26 today as passengers readied for a Christmas reunion with loved ones in Western Australia.

The excitement, emotion and cautious optimism in the air palpable, with passengers each having their reason for wanting to be on the first flight to Perth since WA Premier Mark McGowan confirmed on Tuesday he would allow South Australians freely into the state from Christmas Day.

Waiting to board, grandmothers desperate to hug their grandchildren, new parents wanting to introduce their babies to family members and lovers separated too long from partners.

Most told the Advertiser they hadn’t seen loved ones in a year or more.

WA shut its borders in April in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a plan to open on November 14 short-lived when the Parafield COVID-10 cluster emerged.

Two new cases were recorded in Adelaide today – a female in her 30s and a child – both recently returned from overseas, and in a medi-hotel since arriving.

Passengers board the first flight to Perth in which they won’t be required to quarantine for 14 days. Picture: Emma Brasier.

For Michael Charters, travelling with partner Banyana Molefe, the long-awaited trip to WA meant his family could meet the couple’s new daughter Rose, 10 months.

“We are going to see my sister and her children … it is has been a year since we’ve seen them and they haven’t yet met Rose, they’ve been counting down the hours,” he said.

And it was Christmas last year Joy Campbell last saw her beloved sons and grandchildren.

“The moment I heard the border was opening, I booked … it means the world to me (to see them),” she said.

Paul Burnett was looking forward to celebrating his recent graduation as a dentist with his Perth-based parents but admitted he’d only fully relax when he was with his mum and dad.

Helen Miller, pictured with daughter Karen Wade, is “over-the-moon” to be able to hug her Perth-based son Steven again. Picture: Emma Brasier.

“I’d been a few days away from going home when the second wave (in Adelaide) happened … to not be able to head home at that time was really tough for me, as well as my parents,” he said, waiting for the flight with girlfriend Maria Podnar.

Meanwhile Defence Force pilot Philip Keating, who hadn’t seen his family in over a year, even missing his sister’s wedding 10 days ago due to the restrictions, was looking forward to a home-cooked meal.

And Goolwa mum Helen Miller was “over-the-moon” waiting to check in: “I haven’t hugged my baby for over 12 months, my baby is 54 but he is still my baby.”.