Why is Ballina Byron Gateway Airport taking flights from Melbourne during a lockdown?

Jetstar has confirmed that although it cancelled 40 flights from its schedule due to border restrictions, services to Ballina were not impacted.

Jetstar passengers arriving from Melbourne having their body temperature checked by NSW Health at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on July 3, 2020.

Jetstar cancelled 20 return flights to and from Victoria today, but services scheduled from Melbourne to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport remain on schedule.

A spokesman from the airline said the 40 trips cancelled were due to border restrictions.

Victoria announced a seven-day lockdown that began at 11.59pm on Thursday.

NSW has not closed the border with Victoria, so the flights are allowed in, but premier Gladys Berejiklian has demanded anyone in NSW who has been to Victoria follow the stay-at-home measures that would have applied if they were still south of the border.

“This means anyone arriving in NSW who has been in Victoria since 4pm (Thursday) must remain at their home or place of residence in NSW for the seven-day duration of the Victorian measures,” NSW Health wrote in a statement.

A passenger arrived in full elf costume at Ballina Byron Ballina Gateway Airport on Christmas Day 2020, and was checked by NSW Health officials.

In the meantime, an unknown number of people were scheduled to land at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on Friday at 2pm.

Another flight is scheduled to arrive to the Northern Rivers at the same time Saturday.

For NSW residents planning to go to Victoria in the coming days, the Berejiklian government has asked them to reconsider their plans unless the trip is absolutely essential.

Jetstar’s flight from Ballina to Melbourne remains on schedule for Friday and Saturday.

A Jetstar spokesman said although Ballina services haven’t been impacted at this point, the airline has offered its clients some flexibility.

“Customers who no longer wish to travel can contact the airline to cancel their travel plans and move to a different date or receive a credit voucher which they can redeem in 12 months,” the spokesman said.

A Qantas Group spokesperson also confirmed further flight cancellations are expected over the next week.

“Affected customers will be contacted directly to discuss alternative options,” the airline said in a statement.

“Qantas and Jetstar are offering increased flexibility for passengers who have bookings impacted by border restrictions, including the option to change travel dates or receive a flight credit.”

Both airlines are experiencing a large number of calls into call centres and on social media.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport was contacted for comment.