Airlines today welcomed news of a two-way travel bubble between Singapore and Australia as the first flights under Australia’s new quarantine regime landed at major airports.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed overnight that Australia will accept fully vaccinated tourists from Singapore later this month who do not need to quarantine.
Australia intends to allow fully vaccinated Singaporean tourists, workers and students to enter quarantine-free from 21 November.
Singapore has announced that Australians can use its quarantine-free Vaccination Travel Lane (VTL) to visit the island nation.
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Morrison’s announcement was welcomed by Singapore Airlines and the International Air Transport Association, saying it was another step towards a “new normal”.
“Australia’s opening of free quarantine travel to Singaporean citizens, regardless of the purpose of travel, sends a loud and clear message that Australia is moving forward with her plan to reopen its borders,” said Philip Goh, vice-president for Asia Pacific at the International Air Transport Association.
“We are excited about this positive development and we look forward to further easing of border restrictions in Australia and other countries in the region. It will provide the necessary boost to the recovery of the aviation industry and air travel.”
A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight has landed in Sydney for the first time, carrying fully vaccinated Australian citizens, residents and their families, no longer facing border restrictions or needing to quarantine.
A spokesman for SIA said he expected about 300 arrivals on the airline’s flights to Sydney and Melbourne today, and about 2500 on 31 flights to the two cities this week.
Singapore flight SQ237 is also the first uncapped international flight to Melbourne under the new regime, while SQ212 is the first international flight to leave Sydney.
Louis Arul, regional vice-president of Singapore Airlines, said: “It’s wonderful to see families reunited and loved ones hugging at the airport, it’s a sign of hope for all.”
“The reopening of Australia’s borders to fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible non-citizens is a welcome first step in Australia’s path to recovery and reconnecting with the world,” Arour said.
“Next week we look forward to the opening of the Vaccination Travel Lane (VTL) between Australia and Singapore, which will allow Australians to enter Singapore without quarantine.”
Arul said the announcement that Singapore citizens would enjoy quarantine-free travel between Singapore and Australia was timely for those looking to reunite with their loved ones.
“It will also support Australia’s economic recovery with the return of international students from Singapore, as well as other important economic visa holders,” he said.
For the first time since Singapore Airlines’ arrival in Sydney, Qantas International has regularly scheduled long-haul flights of nearly 600 days – the QF 12 from Los Angeles.
Flying Kangaroo’s Sydney-Darwin-London flight will depart Sydney for the first time at 6.30pm.
While the national carrier has flown hundreds of Australian government repatriation flights during the pandemic and operated under a temporary border bubble arrangement with New Zealand earlier this year, the airline said it was part of Qantas’ relaxation of overseas easing First scheduled international passenger flight under travel restrictions.
All passengers on Qantas international flights must be fully vaccinated unless they are under the age of 12, 12 to 17 travelling to Australia with a family member or guardian, or have an exemption.
Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said: “This day has come a long way for our staff and our customers. It’s truly amazing to see Australians able to reunite with their loved ones after being separated for so long.” Great.
“This has been a very challenging time for our international staff, many of whom have been on standstill since March 2020. We are supporting our Australian team members who are excited to be back in business what they like to do.”
Joyce noted that international travel “will be different for some time” due to the new requirements and guidelines.
Qantas will operate international flights between Sydney and London and Los Angeles from today, with flights to other destinations re-opening in the coming weeks.
