Air New Zealand cancels more than 1000 Australia flights, citing border uncertainty

About 20,000 customers eager to fly between Australia and New Zealand have had their travel plans brutally dashed.

Air New Zealand has cancelled more than 1000 flights between Australia and New Zealand till December 31, 2021, due to continued border uncertainty between the two countries.

In a statement from its Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty, the airline estimated about 20,000 customers would be impacted by the decision.

As it stands, the airline’s schedule past December 31 will remain in place and will do so until further instruction for the New Zealand government.

“Continued border uncertainty between NZ and Australia means Air New Zealand cancelled more than 1000 flights through to 31 December 2021,” said Ms Geraghty.

She expressed her sympathy for affected customers, but said Air NZ’s hands were tied.

“This will be particularly tough news for families and friends who were hoping to catch up over Christmas,” she said.

“But our hands are tied until border restrictions ease, and we receive further clarity from the New Zealand government.”

Continued border uncertainty between NZ and Australia means Air New Zealand canceled more than 1000 flights through to 31 December 2021. This follows other cancellations made since QFT was first paused.

— AirNZMedia (@AirNZMedia) November 22, 2021

The travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has run into multiple setbacks since it was first opened on April 19. The border was repeatedly slammed shut between various states due to snap lockdowns and small-scale clusters, before New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern enacted an eight-week suspension between the countries on July 23. This was extended on September 17.

Although the suspension was to be reviewed again in mid to late November, no changes have been made as of yet.

“When QFT (quarantine-free travel) was established with Australia, both our countries had very few recent cases of COVID-19 community transmission, and a very similar elimination strategy,” said New Zealand’s Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins at the time.

“This has changed significantly leading to our decision to suspend QFT for a further eight weeks.”

Air New Zealand announced the flight cancellations on Monday afternoon. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

Customers affected by the cancellations have the option to exchange their fare for credit which can be used at a later date. Refunds will be available for those with refundable tickets.

‘Red flights’ for customers who need to undergo managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) will still be carried out. This includes limited flights operating from Melbourne or Sydney into New Zealand.

Despite this, travellers entering Australia from New Zealand do not have to quarantine as long as they’re fully-vaccinated and have proof of a negative PCR test within three days of their departure.

This, however, will depend on the travel restrictions determined by the health bodies in each specific Australian state or territory.

Was resumption of quarantine travel this year ever likely? I’d not picked up on any signals that suggested that. AirNZ taking a punt - and was wrong.

— Jeff Adams (@JeffAdamsNZ) November 22, 2021

When did AirNZ get an indication the borders would be Quarantine free in December for you to be confident enough to start selling tickets? You got customers hopes up. Are you offering full refunds or just credits.

— blank (@potzoid) November 22, 2021

Since Air New Zealand made the announcement late on Monday afternoon, some tweets have criticised the airline for “taking a punt” on restrictions and misleading customers.

“When did Air NZ get an indication the borders would be Quarantine free in December for you to be confident enough to start selling tickets? You got customers’ hopes up. Are you offering full refunds or just credits?” wrote one Twitter user.

“Was resumption of quarantine travel this year ever likely? I’d not picked up on any signals that suggested that. Air NZ took a punt – and was wrong,” shared another.

Currently Australia only has a travel bubble with Singapore, however Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hinted that similar arrangements could soon be approved for Japan and South Korea.

Despite this, fully-vaccinated Singaporeans may only fly into NSW, Victoria and the ACT without quarantining, as other states and territories still aren’t accepting international arrivals except for returning Australians.