WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 17 May, 2026

Greetings from Adelaide. I’m here for one of my regular catch-ups with family.

You will be pleased to know that after more than 10 days, the jet-lag-induced brain fog I have been suffering from seems to have abated. My cold also seems to be receding. So, I hope to return to productive blogging this next week.

What happened last week?

The Australian Government submitted its budget this week, and there are a couple of things that directly affect travel.

The Passenger Movement Charge, which travellers exiting Australia pay, will rise by an additional AU$10. That makes it an AU$80 charge every time you exit Australia. Also, paying for government employees to belong to airline lounges on Qantas and Virgin has been stopped.

Virgin Australia is updating its app, allowing you to do more with it, and is upgrading its check-in machines at 10 airports, so you will have even less interaction with the airline’s staff. I also wrote about my experience of Blenheim Airport and a short Air New Zealand flight to Wellington as the penultimate instalment in my latest trip report. 

Next week

Next week should see my preparations for my next review trip to North America. I also plan to start my Trip Report on my recent visit to Prague and London, travelling predominantly with Turkish Airlines.

I got my flu shot this week, and I recommend you do the same. What is it with people who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths and noses?  Remember that wearing masks helps prevent the transmission of airborne diseases.

Until next week . . .

AUSTRALIA: International travellers to be slugged another AU$10 to leave

By 2paxfly on 15 May 2026 8:00 am

Australian international travellers will pay more to leave the country from 1 January 2027. The Federal Budget confirms the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) will rise by AU$10 from AU$70 to AU$80. This is a Commonwealth charge applied to most passengers departing Australia by air or sea. Airlines collect it through your ticket price, so you […] Read in browser »

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Digital upgrade — faster check-in, smarter app, and priority bag drops

By 2paxfly on 14 May 2026 11:44 am

Virgin has announced a major upgrade to its mobile app and domestic airport check-in experience. It promises a 50% redution in check-in times across 10 Australian domestic airports. The rollout starts this month, May 2026, and should rbe complete before the end of the year. What this actually means is a reduction in check-in staff […] Read in browser »

GOVERNMENT: Budget grounds taxpayer-funded Qantas Club memberships

By 2paxfly on 14 May 2026 10:42 am

The Australian Federal Government has cottoned on to the public service’s travel habit of taxpayer-funded airline lounge memberships. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has banned Commonwealth agencies from charging taxpayers for Qantas Club, Virgin Australia lounge and similar airline memberships. The directive emerged from the 2026 budget papers. Lounge bill The directive follows reports that Services […] Read in browser »

NEW ZEALAND: Flight from Blenheim to Wellington on Air New Zealand

By 2paxfly on 11 May 2026 12:03 pm

Our return to Wellington was from Blenheim Airport (BHE). It’s a tiny airport adjacent to a New Zealand Air Force facility. No lounge, and not much of anything else except a big waiting room with two ‘gates’, one at either end. The Airport Facilities are minimal, no lounge, for example, but three self-check-in machines! There […] Read in browser »

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