PHOTOS: Tears of joy flow as friends and family arrive in Tassie from NSW

Tears of joy were shed at Hobart Airport as friends and family welcomed home loved ones when Tasmania’s borders reopened to New South Wales.

TEARS of joy were shed at Hobart Airport as friends and family welcomed home loved ones when Tasmania’s borders reopened to New South Wales yesterday.

The recommencement of flights between the two states comes after Tasmania reopened its borders to all other jurisdictions except Victoria last Monday.

Adelaide Burgess 3, Freya Burgess 8 and Eloise Burgess 6 with their mum Emilie Burgess see their grandmother Karen Stephens on the first Qantas flight from Sydney to Hobart after the borders reopened. Picture Chris Kidd

Karen Stephens meets her grandchildren Eloise Burgess 6, Freya Burgess 8 and Adelaide Burgess 3 after arriving on the first Qantas flight from Sydney to Hobart after the borders reopened. Picture Chris Kidd

Karen Stephens with her grandchildren Adelaide Burgess 3, Freya Burgess 8 Eloise Burgess 6 and after arriving on the first Qantas flight from Sydney to Hobart after the borders reopened. Picture Chris Kidd

First Qantas flight from Sydney to Hobart after the borders reopened. Picture: Chris Kidd

The state government has said flights to and from Victoria could recommence by December 1.

Waiting at the arrivals gate on Friday for the first Sydney flight landing in months was Hobart resident Emilie Burgess and daughters Adelaide, Freya and Eloise.

The family had gathered to welcome home the girls’ grandmother, Karen Stephens, who they said they hadn’t seen in 10 months.

“We’re just stoked to be able to catch up and spend some quality time together after what’s been a challenging year for most,” Ms Burgess said.

“The kids have loved catching up with their grandmother and are looking forward to spending time reading, cooking and cuddling with her.”

First Qantas flight from Sydney to Hobart after the borders reopened. Picture Chris Kidd

Also waiting at the gate yesterday was Hobart resident Alejandra Begerez for the arrival of her husband Juan Cardoza who she had been apart from for eight months.

Speaking after the pair reconnected, Ms Begerez described their time apart as “very, very horrible”.

“It was so good to see Juan arrive because we haven’t seen each other for so long. The last time I saw him was March 3,” she said.

Mr Cardoza said he was looking forward to “two days of normal married life” over the weekend before he flies back to Sydney for work.