Australia’s national carrier has hinted at how the long-awaited resumption of international travel may look.
With Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week announcing borders will tentatively open for states that have reached the 80 per cent vaccine milestone next month, Australians have been told to dust off their passports.
But Qantas boss Alan Joyce is warning overseas travel will look far different than it did this time two years ago.
Speaking in Boston on Tuesday AEDT, Joyce provided details of how overseas travel will look.
Vaccine passports remain a crucial component of the flight plan.
Joyce said the airline was working with the International Air Transport Association on the technology for a digital travel pass to make the process as seamless as possible.
Travellers can expect to have to undergo up to four tests for COVID-19 – one prior to departure for each flight and two while in home quarantine.
It’s yet to be established what would happen should a traveller test positive during a pre-flight test.
Under current protocol, all pre-flight tests must come back negative before a traveller is allowed to board a flight for Australia.
Joyce fears that the seven-day home quarantine program, which is being piloted in New South Wales and closely watched in other states, could be a deterrent.
“Now while seven days’ home quarantine is a step in the right direction – we believe over time that needs to get shorter.
“Australians coming home to visit relatives – or those eager to see friends and family overseas for Christmas – may be willing to do seven days’ quarantine.
“But certainly overseas tourists and business travellers will not come to Australia if that’s in place – particularly when there is no quarantine for travellers in most parts of the world.”