One thing that would stop Qantas flying overseas is hotel quarantine

As parts of the country gear up to possibly reopen its borders to overseas travel, Qantas have flagged one reason they’d stop their reopening plan.

If predictions on the pace of vaccination numbers are correct, by December we may be free to show our passport and vaccination certificate, and stroll down the aisle to our allotted seat on an international flight.

Some airlines, including Qantas have announced a gradual restart pre-Christmas.

But there is one caveat. The plans remain dependent on government decisions in the coming months, including future quarantine requirements.

“In a way it’s the last piece of the puzzle we need clarity on,” Qantas Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully said in a Tourism Australia webinar last Friday. Time and budget constraints mean we’re much less likely to head overseas if upon return a fortnight in a quarantine hotel is still mandatory.

“If there’s still 14 days of hotel quarantine then we will not get the demand we need to operate,” Tully said.

Qantas have plans for an overseas travel restart before Christmas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Ascui

The national cabinet’s reopening ‘Phase C’ plan once the vaccination threshold hits 80 per cent includes the “gradual reopening of inward and outward international travel with safe countries and proportionate quarantine and reduced requirements for fully vaccinated inbound travellers”.

Tully said that in line with the government’s plan, Qantas’ thinking is that quarantine would be reduced, if not eliminated and it should be at home [rather than at hotels].

“It may be like we’ve seen in other places around the world, you’re vaccinated and you have a test before you leave and a test when you get home and then you’re free,” Tully said in the webinar.

Tully reported that so far, Qantas had seen a good response to the gradual restart plan of flights to destinations with high vaccination rates, which are likely to include Singapore, the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and Canada.

Qantas Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully said for Qantas to launch back into overseas travel, home quarantine would need to be made available. Photo Jeremy Piper

“What we’ve seen is huge pent-up demand particularly from people that want to see family but also from a leisure perspective,” Tully said.

“The most popular routes we’re seeing is London from both Sydney and Melbourne but also Vancouver has been very strong, Singapore, Los Angeles as well; a lot of people getting ready to book once they get that next green light.”

Will flight prices skyrocket?

Another hurdle that may hamper international travel is the expectation that prices for airline tickets will be prohibitive. It’s something we’ve been seeing since the national cabinet’s decision to cut Australia’s arrival caps. According to Australian Aviation, in July this year, one-way flights between London and Sydney were selling for more than $43,000.

The good news? According to Stephanie Tully, Qantas pricing for the planned December restart is pretty close to what it was before the pandemic.

All eyes are on when overseas travel might reopen. Picture: Mark Stewart

“We have a really strong view on this one and have a similar view for our domestic operations across Qantas and Jetstar which is our absolute goal is to get our people back to work – we’ve got thousands of people that are still at home, many haven’t worked since the start of the pandemic. Our focus will be on cash positive flying,” Tully said.

Will Australia’s vaccine passport be recognised?

Anyone dreaming of an overseas adventure visiting multiple counties may be concerned that their vaccine certificate may not be recognised universally. It’s still very much a work in progress. Last week, Trade Minister Dan Tehan said that the government is working to develop a QR code with the International Civil Aviation Organisation so that Australian vaccine certificates would be internationally recognised.

“What most countries are doing is linking a QR code which demonstrates that you’ve been vaccinated to your passport,” Tehan told Leon Byner from FIVEaa radio in Adelaide last Friday.

Overseas travel will be on the cards for the whole of Australia when we hit 80 per cent. Picture: Stewart McLean

“So, it’s not necessarily going to be in your passport as such, but it will be linked to your passport … that’s the work that we’re doing and looking to get mutually recognised by other countries as well.”

More need to read the fine print

Before purchasing international travel insurance, airline tickets, a cruise or booking accommodation it will be more important than ever to carefully read over all the terms and conditions. Is there any cover against COVID-19? Can you change your booking if there is an unexpected border closure? According to Choice.com.au, the key is to book with providers that allow flexibility should things change. Also, smartraveller.gov.au has the latest information on destinations so travellers are aware of any risks or safety advice.