United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Qantas to ramp up Melbourne flights as NSW-Victoria border set to reopen
New South Wales will reopen its state border with Victoria later this month.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is taking a ‘calculated risk’ in reopening on 23 November.
It comes as Victoria recorded its fifth consecutive day of zero infections.
"Very proudly I say NSW will be the only jurisdiction in Australia that will be welcoming residents of all states, of all jurisdictions," she said at a media briefing.
The reopening allows free movement between Australia’s two most heavily populated states, and its busiest air route.
Qantas and its low-cost brand Jetstar said they plan to operate ‘thousands of flights’ between the two states.
They will operate more than 250 flights on five routes, to Melbourne and regional destinations in Victoria, Qantas said.
"Pre-Covid, Melbourne-Sydney was the busiest air route in Australia and the second busiest in the world. On a busy day, Qantas and Jetstar would operate more than 100 flights per day between New South Wales and Victoria. During the lockdown, our schedule was reduced to as low as one flight a day," said Qantas Domestic & International CEO, Andrew David.
Qantas called the move a ‘sensible, risk-based approach to borders.’
The reopening will see more grounded planes back in service and more employees returning to work.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Dana Young of Visit Florida at WTM 2024
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
BA pilot dies during layover
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship