Overseas flights out of Hobart beginning in January have been pushed back until at least March

Tasmania’s travel bubble with New Zealand is in jeopardy as international flights from Hobart Airport are delayed, with vital infrastructure still missing. SEE WHEN FLIGHTS ARE SCHEDULED >>

• List of major Tasmanian news stories from 2020 not related to the COVID-19 pandemic
• International flights to resume with direct flights from Hobart to New Zealand launching

INTERNATIONAL flights to and from Hobart Airport will not go ahead from January as planned.

The state and federal governments’ plan to see Hobart Airport host flights to and from New Zealand by next month has been pushed back until at least March as arrangements continue.

The $59m joint government investment was set to see two weekly flights between Hobart and Auckland during winter months and three flights each way during other seasons.

The arrangement would see the implementation of about 30 Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police investigators and biosecurity officers at the airport.

It is not known if the trans-Tasman plan – set to be reviewed in January 2022 – will extend more than 10 months.

The state government said more work needed to be undertaken to get the plan off the ground.

Hobart Airport.

“It is anticipated that all arrangements will be in place by March 2021, with construction commencing at Hobart Airport to enable the international procession area to be completed ahead of direct flights from NZ in first quarter 2021,” a spokeswoman said.

“This timing is expected to coincide with announcements by the NZ Government to enable non-restricted travel between NZ and Australian at that time.”

An airline partner is yet to be secured, the spokeswoman said.

Hobart Airport chief executive Matt Cocker said the airport was continuing to work with the state and federal governments “on this very exciting opportunity”.

“Hobart Airport stands ready to play our part once the necessary government approvals are in place and an airline partner has been secured,” he said.

The trans-Tasman flights plan was expected to see about 30,000 New Zealand tourists visit Tasmania during 2021.

Labor leader Rebecca White said more needed to be done to accelerate the trans-Tasman arrangement.

Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Progress on establishing the travel bubble has been slow and we are concerned the process is being held up at the federal level in Canberra,” she said.

“Peter Gutwein should be pressuring the Morrison Government to back up its promises to assist Tasmania get this important service off the ground as soon as feasible.”