Omicron and testing rules leave airports largely empty at busiest time of the year

The Omicron outbreak and testing rules have been blamed for leaving airports largely empty in what is normally the busiest time of the year.

Melbourne Airport wants the Morrison government to scrap the requirement for people returning from overseas to undergo pre-departure Covid tests. Picture: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The emerging Omicron outbreak and confusing travel “rules” have been blamed for only modest growth in air travel in the normally hectic month of December.

Although Melbourne Airport managed a 46 per cent increase in passengers compared to a year ago, Brisbane Airport recorded a 5 per cent drop in overall travellers, after quarantine requirements were only lifted for interstate arrivals mid-month.

Figures to December 15 for Sydney, indicated international travellers were down 86 per cent on pre-Covid levels, and domestic passengers 69 per cent behind 2019 numbers.

Sydney’s full report for December traffic will be released on Thursday.

Of the 1.1 million people who passed through Melbourne’s four terminals, 135,823 were overseas travellers, the highest number since the international border closure in March 2020.

Melbourne Airport chief of aviation Lorie Argus said the shift away from pre-departure testing for domestic travel was welcome, and the same rule should apply for fully vaccinated international passengers.

“Given the high levels of Covid-19 present in the Australian community, the federal government should now scrap the requirement for fully vaccinated international passengers to undertake pre-departure tests before flying to Australia,” Ms Argus said.

“The fear of being stuck overseas because of a positive test result is a major deterrent for many Australians considering an overseas holiday and it’s clear this requirement now provides no public health benefit and serves no useful purpose.”

Ms Argus said it was already apparent that the emergence of the Omicron variant would impact the remainder of the summer travel period, with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia already reducing capacity in response to subdued demand and staff shortages.

“The increasing number of cases around the country has forced hundreds of airline staff into isolation and prompted thousands of holiday-makers to cancel or postpone their plans,” Ms Argus said.

From 1am on Saturday, international travellers would be able to return to Queensland without the need to quarantine, providing they were fully vaccinated. The only requirement would be that they undertake a rapid antigen test within 24-hours of arrival.

The announcement was welcomed by Brisbane Airport Corporate chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff.

“Our team at Brisbane Airport is more than ready for Saturday morning. They have kept the lights on throughout the pandemic and have done a phenomenal job in adapting to the ever-changing requirements over the past two years,” said Mr de Graaff.

“Rebuilding international travel into and out of Brisbane Airport will take many months, as we will need destinations for Australians and inbound market nations to reopen. We are not expecting to return to 2019 route and passenger levels until 2024.”

Obtaining RATs was expected to become easier in coming weeks, with up to 52 million tests due to arrive in Australia by the end of the month from Asia and the US, on subsidised freight flights.

Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the RATS were destined for supermarkets, pharmacies and medical services across the country.

“These kits will help Australians juggling the demands of jobs and families with requirements to isolate and undergo rapid testing,” Mr Hunt said.

“RATs are an important way we can keep the community safe while ensuring essential workers can continue to do their jobs.”

Originally published as Omicron and testing rules leave airports largely empty at busiest time of the year