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- Qantas Airways (QAN) is adding more international flights to its roster in anticipation of the travel ban lifting before Christmas
- Extra flights are being added from December 18 onwards, from Sydney and Melbourne to overseas destinations such as London and Los Angeles
- The Federal Government’s international travel restrictions are due to expire on December 17, though the restrictions could be extended
- Qantas expects its passengers to be vaccinated in order to travel, with travellers also likely to be asked to return a negative COVID-19 test
- Shares in QAN are trading up 0.55 per cent at $5.46 each at 12:35 pm AEST
Qantas Airways (QAN) is adding more international flights to its roster in anticipation of the travel ban lifting before Christmas.
The airline has begun scheduling more flights from December 18 onwards, to overseas destinations such as London and Los Angeles.
All the flights are departing from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, to destinations such as Honolulu, Vancouver, Tokyo and Singapore.
Australians may be able to resume quarantine-free travel to New Zealand by the end of the month, however the travel bubble is likely to be further suspended given the COVID-19 outbreaks in both countries.
Sydney and Melbourne are still in the midst of a widespread outbreak of the Delta variant of the virus, while New Zealand recorded 15 new cases on Thursday.
The Federal Government’s international travel restrictions, which were brought in at the start of the pandemic, were due to expire on December 17, though they too could be extended.
Regardless of the travel restrictions, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has signalled he expects passengers to be vaccinated in order to travel with the airline.
The business will require its staff to be immunised and recently launched a program rewarding vaccinated Qantas members with Qantas points.
Been vaccinated? Be rewarded. From today, eligible COVID-19 vaccinated Australians can claim Qantas points, status credits or flight discounts for Qantas or @JetstarAirways. More information: https://t.co/IEx1jbNvNk
— Qantas (@Qantas) August 23, 2021
Additionally, international travellers may also be asked to return a negative COVID-19 test before departure and wear a mask throughout the flight.
Shares in QAN remained flat despite the new flights being added on Wednesday, before lifting slightly during Thursday’s morning session.
Shares in QAN are trading up 0.55 per cent at $5.46 each at 12:35 pm AEST.
