Travel bubbles with Japan, Singapore, South Korea on cards after Australia-New Zealand flights
An imminent travel deal with NZ could clear the path for new flights between Australia and Asian nations within months.
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Travel bubbles could open with Japan, Singapore and South Korea within months thanks to the successful first phase of travel with New Zealand.
Pacific Islands might also be on the cards for travel in 2021.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the first week and a half of one-way travel with NZ has allowed it to “test” safe international travel arrangements for airports and airlines it has been working on since June.
DFAT is also “very close” to finalising arrangements for two-way travel with NZ but is still in talks with those authorities, a department official told Senate Estimates on Thursday.
“Once the arrangement is finalised, it will be up to the two governments to determine when to commence based on health advice,” she said.
NZ is still in caretaker mode after its election, but an announcement on two-way travel with Australia could take place soon after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern finalises arrangements for her new government and swears in her ministry next week.
So far, 20 “green flights” with 1895 Kiwis have arrived in Australia in the first 11 days of the one-way travel bubble and another 10 flights are scheduled to arrive by November 10.
‘Green flights’ is the term being used for flights where passengers do not need to quarantine on arrival in Australia
Australian Tourism Industry Council executive director Simon Westaway said the one-way bubble was a “welcome first step” but should be expanded soon to allow Australians into NZ.
He said the trans-Tasman bubble was “very important” and would be a “source of strength” to attempt travel corridors with Singapore, South Korea and Japan in early 2021.
China should also be considered for COVID-safe travel arrangements, he said.
Australia is also eyeing travel with some Pacific Island nations.
“With the markedly improved community transmission outcomes for COVID across the Australian community and the big gains made in Victoria and NSW, a two-way, genuine travel bubble between Australia and NZ must now occur and must be seen to be put in place prior to Christmas,” Mr Westaway said.
He also urged government to consider special arrangements to allow international backpackers back into Australia.
“Once a deliverer of over $3 billion in annual economic value, they are hugely important in their ability to disperse through our regions to holiday and work including in tourism and hospitality,” Mr Westaway said.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said he welcomed Ms Ardern’s recent positive comments about opening up with Australia.
“I hope that we can see this facilitated, and inclusive of states like SA, by the year’s end,” he said.
“Our arrangement with New Zealand will provide a blueprint to prove up the model of how we run safe corridors – green lanes of international visitors coming in and out of Australia – and whether this can be extended to other similarly low risk countries down the track.
“We continue to have discussions with other countries who have had similar levels of success in suppressing COVID-19, but any further arrangements will only be progressed in a way that doesn’t compromise the safety of Australians or hinder the economic progress that has been made to date.”
SA has joined the NZ travel bubble, along with the NT, ACT and New South Wales but only Sydney has received direct flights so far.
SA Senator Rex Patrick asked DFAT on Thursday when Adelaide to Auckland flights would resume and was told it was a matter for airlines and states.
Originally published as Travel bubbles with Japan, Singapore, South Korea on cards after Australia-New Zealand flights