Resource Library
Back to
Search Results
Aviation sector prepares for bubble flights
Read More
Posted By Default

Aviation sector prepares for bubble flights

3 August 2020

The New Zealand aviation sector is well advanced in its planning for non-quarantine flights from countries free of community transmission of COVID-19.

Kevin Ward, co-chair of NZAC (New Zealand Aviation Coalition), says New Zealand’s international airports have detailed plans to safely separate “Pacific bubble” travellers from those arriving from countries with community transmission cases.

Auckland International Airport, which has been handling the bulk of international travel in recent months, has released a detailed plan to use different parts of its international terminal for the separation of passengers.

Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown airports have effective systems in place now and are awaiting approval from government border agencies and health services.

Justin Tighe-Umbers, the other NZAC co-chair, says separating travellers based on their country of origin is important measure in the fight against COVID and airlines are onboard.

“People want to travel overseas, and getting flights going as soon as it is safe to do so is key.  Auckland Airport creating two terminals is an innovative move that will allow airlines to grow capacity as we open up safe zones with other countries.”

Airports and airlines throughout the world have been deploying systems to enable international travel. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is not expecting air travel to return to pre-COVID levels until 2024, but late last month said passenger numbers may be back up to around 62% in 2021.

Ends

About the New Zealand Aviation Coalition

NZAC is an industry group representing New Zealand’s leading airlines and airports: Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, BARNZ, Christchurch Airport, NZ Airports’ Association, Qantas, Queenstown Airport and Wellington Airport. Our goal is to rapidly rebuild New Zealand’s domestic and international air transport network. We are working closely with government and experts to create the ability to travel safely by air both at home and overseas.