Aussies less likely to travel interstate this Christmas than same time last year

A year of snap lockdowns and border restrictions have left Aussies less likely to travel interstate than they were 12 months ago.

Australians lack confidence state borders will remain open amid surging Covid case numbers, with many saying they are less likely to travel this Christmas than they were the year before.

Both the Prime Minister and aviation industry have called for more certainty from state leaders to get travel up and running again.

“It’s very important, I think we get some clearer certainty about what arrangements are,” Scott Morrison told a press conference on Monday.

“I think Australians need to know that if they are going to get on a plane and get somewhere they can get off at the other end, they can do what they want to do, and return home.”

62 per cent of potential passengers said they were discouraged from flying around the country due to the risk of border closures. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

However, according to a survey of 500 potential travellers by the Australian Airports Association (AAA), 62 per cent said they were discouraged from flying around the country due to the risk of border closures.

“Passenger numbers at Australian airports are still well-below pre-pandemic levels, even with Christmas just days away,” AAA Chief Executive James Goodwin said.

“Concerningly, people felt more confident in travelling interstate this time last year (86 per cent) than they do today with only 72 per cent suggesting they’d be willing to cross state borders these holidays.”

While very few Aussie would travel overseas themselves, most are in favour of gradually allowing foreign tourists. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

For most people booking a flight overseas remains out of the question, citing concerns over contracting the virus or being stranded abroad if Australia was to close its borders again.

However, most Aussies are in favour of a phased reopening of the international border to foreign tourists.

Even as the Prime Minister calls for more certainty from state leaders, Scott Morrison is providing few concrete answers himself.

“We are taking Omicron very seriously, every state and territory is, but we will keep our head, interrogate the data closely, take the best medical advice we possibly can to make the right decisions for the Australian conditions,” he said.