Airports ready to welcome back more Australians from November 2021

Australia’s international airports are working closely with the government to ensure the reopening framework announced on 1 October 2021 is carried out as smoothly and safely as possible.

Australian Airports Association (AAA) Chief Executive, James Goodwin, said airports would be ready to welcome back increasing numbers of Australians from overseas when quarantine arrangements begin to ease, and passenger caps are lifted from November 2021.

“This is a positive step in the right direction to allow more vaccinated Australians to return home and others to reconnect with family overseas and comes just in time for Christmas.

“These changes provide a more effective and clearer pathway for Australians to have the confidence to leave and re-enter the country,” commented Goodwin.

He added: “Airports will be critical to ensuring the challenging logistics associated with resuming international travel will be successfully managed.

“It is important airports are involved in co-designing any new arrangements required, as we begin this process and look forward to working closely with government agencies on these details.

“This is just the first step to reopen Australia with work needed now on the next phase of the framework where we can welcome back international tourists and other important cohorts such as business people, students and skilled workers.

“There needs to be a focus on bringing back international travellers to assist in returning our economy, particularly the tourism sector, back to its full strength.

“We welcome the development of safe travel zones where quarantine will not be required with nations such as New Zealand and we look forward to having other highly-vaccinated nations included as part of these pilot programmes.”