Aussie airline to make overseas arrival easier for passengers

Passengers landing at this Aussie airport will fly through border security with the expansion of this new feature making international flights easier.

Those flying into Brisbane airport from overseas will be able to use a digital incoming passenger card in an extended pilot program ran by Qantas.

The Australian Border Force partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Qantas to create the program which has been trialled on select flights to Brisbane airport since October last year.

From Wednesday, the pilot run ditching paper incoming passenger cards for a digital version has been expanded to all passengers on international Qantas flights arriving at Brisbane airport. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The trial to digitise the current paper incoming passenger card was an “innovative approach to managing biosecurity risk at the border,” according to the DAFF’s Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity Justine Saunders.

“Trial findings so far have demonstrated a more seamless traveller experience while allowing biosecurity officers to increase their focus on detecting noncompliance and managing risky goods,” Ms Saunders said.

Initially the Digital Travel Declaration was available for single-passenger bookings from New Zealand to Brisbane.

It then expanded last week to include travellers on flights into Brisbane from Los Angeles Airport in the US.

The digital incoming passenger card is available through the existing Qantas app and can be completed up to 72 hours before flying. Picture: ABF

The third phase commences on Wednesday and means every single and multi-passenger booking from anywhere in the world is eligible to complete a declaration card.

“We’ve received positive feedback following the first phase of the Australia Travel Declaration pilot, so we know our customers will be pleased about this expansion of the program to all international inbound flights to Brisbane,” Qantas officer Catriona Larritt said.

Since the trial began, almost 12,000 people have used it.

Passengers complete the declaration online to receive a digital pass with a QR code which they can access through the existing Qantas app and their nominated email.

The code is shown to Border Force officers upon arrival and grants fast clearance through border controls.

The form can also be completed up to 72 hours before people fly.

Brisbane airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the pilot run of a digital incoming passenger card is “essential” for “modernising the border”. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff welcomed the expansion of the program in light of growing tourism as well as the upcoming 2032 Olympics.

“We’re huge advocates at Brisbane Airport for modernising the border, so we’re excited to see the expansion of he digital arrival card program after such a successful pilot,” Mr de Graaff said.

Mr de Graaff said it was an “essential part” of advancing passenger’s journey to Brisbane.

Feedback from participant’s has been overwhelmingly positive, with passengers saying, “It’s about time”, “It made my life easier; I wasn’t reaching for that pen”, and “It was awesome; I’m already out”.

It is hoped that the pilot run at Brisbane International Airport will eventually expand to include travellers arriving to other airports and on different airlines.

Originally published as Aussie airline to make overseas arrival easier for passengers