How Coast can share in trans-Tasman travel bubble

Flights from the Sunshine Coast to Auckland could be in the pipeline by Christmas as talk of an Anzac travel bubble grows louder.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 16: The tails of Air New Zealand planes at Wellington Airport on March 16, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand. Strict new border measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 came into effect at 1am on Monday, requiring all arrivals into New Zealand to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Those in self-isolation must avoid social gatherings, work, school, child care facilities, university, religious gatherings, aged care and health facilities, prisons, sports gatherings, restaurants, and all public gatherings during the two-week period. New Zealand currently has eight confirmed cases of COVID-19. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

FLIGHTS from the Sunshine Coast to Auckland could be in the pipeline by Christmas as talk of an Anzac travel bubble grows louder.

Sunshine Coast Airport head of corporate relations Ayllie White said there was a strong hope that flights to Auckland could return by later in the year.

Travel arrangements have been thrown into turbulence following the global pandemic, but with both nations in control of the virus, flights could be back sooner than originally anticipated.

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Queensland has just five active cases, while New Zealand recorded its first new case of coronavirus for the first time in 23 days yesterday.

Ms White said the rumblings about a trans-Tasman bubble were "positive" but very much dependant on both Australian and New Zealand governments.

"It's a bit too early to plan without firm time frames, but we would very much welcome a return of Kiwi visitors as soon as possible," Ms White said.

"We would love it to happen tomorrow, but by later in the year is more likely.

"Certainly, I think the Coast would be considered a safe place for Kiwis, given the very few cases within the community.

"When it does come back, we know they love this destination."

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The region was due to have shared in an influx of Kiwis from April to October in a partnership with Air New Zealand that would be a multimillion-dollar tourism boost.

While this year's season has stalled with the global pandemic, Ms White said the hope was that it paved the way forward.

"At the moment, we fly direct to Auckland and in the future, we see opportunity to fly year-round," she said.

"Our new runway is longer and wider, meaning the outgoing Air New Zealand flights will be able to go out with a full load of passengers, which they weren't able to do using our old runway due to its shorter length.

"We also see an opportunity to fly to Christchurch and other destinations, too."

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From a pure tourism perspective regarding domestic travellers, Ms White said Australians had pent-up demand to come to the Coast.

Visit Sunshine Coast chair David Ryan said New Zealand was the Coast's most significant international market.

Mr Ryan said given the success both Australia and New Zealand had had in combating coronavirus, it would most likely be the first overseas market to return.

"Last year, New Zealand delivered us 86,000 visitors - an increase of more than 21 per cent on 2018," Mr Ryan said.

"Just prior to the closure of international borders, Visit Sunshine Coast was planning a major sales and promotional visit to New Zealand.

"We have well-advanced plans for targeting the New Zealand market and can activate the program relatively quickly once we have an idea of the timeline for the resumption of New Zealand-Australia travel.

"With the launch of the new runway, there is excellent capacity to grow both frequencies and departure points for direct flights from New Zealand.

"It's by far the international destination with the greatest potential for the Sunshine Coast."

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