Canberra Airport asks govt to let New Zealanders travel to Australia, even if NZ border remains closed

Australia should move first and allow people from New Zealand in without having to quarantine, Canberra Airport says.

Virgin Australia plane departing from Brisbane Airport Pictures David Clark Photography

Australia should move first and allow people from New Zealand to arrive without having to quarantine, Canberra Airport has demanded, in a bid to kickstart the trans-Tasman travel bubble next month and revive the struggling tourism and aviation industries.

The airport’s request, made to Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Chief Medical ­Officer Brendan Murphy this week, comes as the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry warns that delaying a July opening of the bubble by four to six weeks could see 15 per cent of tourism-dependent businesses collapse.

While calling for a “circuit breaker” on state border reopenings, which appear more uncertain as premiers nervously watch community transmission levels in Victoria, Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron asked the Morrison government to push ahead with Australia-New Zealand travel.

“We recognise that the full opening of the trans-Tasman bubble requires two-way travel and decisions of the New Zealand government. However, we need to send a signal to all governments on both sides of the Tasman … that the Australian government and its chief health advisers regard travel from the essentially COVID-19-free New Zealand to Australia as being safe, just as travel between Queensland and NSW is Covidsafe,” Mr Byron writes in a letter to the Prime Minister.

“Specifically to permit Australians to travel to New Zealand and return without having to quarantine; (and) Australian and New Zealand citizens to travel to Australia without having to quarantine — those persons MUST have been in NZ for at least 14 days.”

Conceding the airport’s passenger numbers and revenue was down 99.7 per cent in April and May compared to the same time last year, and still down 97.8 per cent last week despite more ­aviation activity, Mr Byron said business was limited.

“The ACT has never had community transmission and we have almost zero travel. This is a crisis that will threaten the viability of many companies throughout our industry. Our industry needs hope and it needs a pathway forward,” he said.

If a COVID-19 test before travel is necessary, Mr Byron says, it should be mandated and clear ­advice about the health risks of the trans-Tasman bubble released.

ACCI, Canberra Airport and local chambers of commerce in both countries are still proposing a Canberra-Wellington flight to begin in July, with the airport suggesting the original July 1-10 start date be pushed back to July 22-30.

In a separate letter to Mr Morrison sent on Thursday, the chambers reflected on Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Wednesday showing 15 per cent of accommodation and food services businesses believed they could continue operating for less than a month with existing savings, assets and unused credit.

Another 27 per cent expected to be able to survive for less than three months.

“Tourism is a massive employer in Australia and New Zealand, creating 1.05 million and 350,000 jobs respectively. But many tourism businesses in both countries will not survive beyond July,” the chambers state.

“The collective chambers also believe the opportunity is far greater than pre-COVID movement between Australia and New Zealand. The opportunity for Australia is a further 1.8 million New Zealand travellers who would otherwise travel outside the two countries every year.

“Business groups are ready, our airports and cities are ready. People are ready to start flying again. We are only waiting for government agencies in both countries to give us the green light.”

Australians are banned from travelling overseas, with few exceptions.

Mr Hunt said amending any travel restrictions would be based on expert medical advice.

“The Australian and New Zealand governments continue to work together on this matter,” he said.