Qantas: International flying in July? Not so fast says Michael McCormack, Australian Transport minister
A few days ago, Qantas popped back bookable international destinations onto its website. Given that Qantas Chief Alan Joyce has already said that a valid vaccine certificate will be a prerequisite for travel, many took this to mean that the Australian Government would be relaxing border restrictions.
Well, you can forget about that, says our Deputy Prime Minister, and Transport Minister:
Statement on Qantas international ticket sales
The health and safety of Australians remains the Morrison-McCormack Government’s top priority, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
International borders will be opened when international arrivals do not pose a risk to Australians.
Decisions about when international travel resumes will be made by the Australian Government.
The Australian Government is working on travel arrangements with countries, such as New Zealand, that have low community infections.
Operations and ticket sales on particular routes are commercial decisions for airlines.The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
OK, so that means the Australian Government and not Qantas will be determining the opening of Australian borders.
On a more positive note – he still leaves open the possibility of travel bubbles, well at least with New Zealand.
2PAXfly Takeout
This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.
The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.
This is just a bit of an assertion of authority and maybe a rebuke to Alan Joyce, but it doesn’t really change reality. I wouldn’t be making any international bookings with Qantas with any confidence in July 2021.
August is a completely different matter!
What did you say?