Travellers arrive on first interstate flight after Northern Territory borders reopen

TRAVELLERS trickled through the Alice Springs Airport today on the first interstate flight to land in the Northern Territory after its borders reopened

Dan Wilson, Alexa Curtis and their kids Harry and Maia jumped at the opportunity to explore the Territory.

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TRAVELLERS trickled through the Alice Springs Airport today on the first interstate flight to land in the Northern Territory after it reopened its borders.

The first interstate plane arrived from Adelaide at 10am with passengers keen to come into the Territory without having to complete a mandatory quarantine of 14 days.

A total of 685 people crossed into the Northern Territory by road between 5am and 9am as the Territory’s borders reopened for the first time in 116 days today.

British mum Alexa Curtis and her partner Dan Wilson, who have been living in South Australia.with their two children, jumped at the opportunity to explore the Territory.

“We’ve been living in Adelaide for a year and so this is just a holiday before we go back home to England at the end of July,” she said.

“I do feel a bit apprehensive about going back to England because obviously there’s more coronavirus there but also excited to see friends and family.

Mr Wilson said they felt lucky to be able to have a holiday in one of the safest places in the country and be able to explore the Red Centre and the Top End.

“We feel very lucky and fortunate we are in a place which has managed it well and we’re happy it has opened up just in time,” he said.

Many of the arrivals from Adelaide were local residents returning home to Alice Springs.

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Alice Springs Airport manager David Batic said it was an important day for the Territory.

“We know it’s a significant day for the Territory and we also know the airport is an entry point to other states so we’re very conscious about our role in keeping passengers, staff and the community safe,” he said.

“The airport is always a place of farewells and welcomes and it’s emotional at times so we’re thrilled to see that again for family and friends to reunite for the first time in many months.”

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