Qantas and Jetstar add 300 more domestic return flights per week as travel restrictions ease

Qantas and Jetstar add 300 more domestic return flights per week as travel restrictions ease

Qantas and Jetstar will increase domestic and regional flights as travel restrictions around Australia ease.

More than 300 return flights will be added by the end of June. 

By the end of July the airlines hope to return to 40 per cent of their pre-coronavirus flight frequency.

Flights impacted the most will be more services to and from Canberra and between Melbourne and Sydney.

Qantas and Jetstar will be increasing their domestic and regional flight schedules as travel restrictions around the country ease

By the end of July the airlines hope to return to 40 per cent of their pre-coronavirus flight frequency

By the end of July the airlines hope to return to 40 per cent of their pre-coronavirus flight frequency

There will be more intra-state flights in Western Australia and Queensland, particularly to places such as Broome and Rockhampton.

Flights will begin once again between Sydney and Byron Bay.  

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: ‘We know there is a lot of pent up demand for air travel and we are already seeing a big increase in customers booking and planning flights in the weeks and months ahead.’

He said if there is more demand in July they will ramp up flight schedules during the school holidays 

‘The one million people who work in tourism around Australia have been really hurting over the past few months. These additional flights are an important first step to help get more people out into communities that rely on tourism and bring a much-needed boost to local businesses,’ Mr Joyce said.

‘Customers will notice a number of differences when they fly, such as masks and sanitising wipes, and we’ll be sending out information before their flight so they know exactly what to expect and have some extra peace of mind.

Flights impacted the most will be more services to and from Canberra and between Melbourne and Sydney (stock)

Flights impacted the most will be more services to and from Canberra and between Melbourne and Sydney (stock)

‘Importantly, the Australian Government’s medical experts have said the risk of contracting Coronavirus on an aircraft is low.’ 

There will be a lot of health measures during flights to give passengers peace of mind during the pandemic.

This includes contactless check-in and enhanced cleaning measures.

Masks and hand sanitiser will be given to all customers.

There will be more staff to man these flights but hundreds remain stood down until operations resume to normal levels.  

WHAT ARE THE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN AUSTRALIA? 

Western Australia

Premier Mark McGowan announced on Thursday that travel restrictions across the state will be eased at 11.59pm on June 5.

This means regional and remote communities such as the Kimberley region can now be accessed.

Interstate travel is still not permitted and people can only enter the state with an exemption.

Northern Territory 

Travel is permitted within the state but some areas are subject to biosecurity laws.

You cannot enter these areas unless you have proof you are an essential remote worker. 

This will be lifted on June 5. 

Anyone arriving in the territory – even domestically – must subject to a 14-day quarantine. 

Queensland 

From June 1 residents can travel anywhere within the state. This includes the far north.

There is still no interstate travel allowed. 

New South Wales

From June 1, travel across the state reopened. 

Caravan parks and holiday homes are allowed to be accessed once again. 

There are no restrictions on leaving or re-entering the state. 

Victoria

Victoria has similar rules in place as New South Wales. 

Australian Capital Territory 

There is no limit on travel within or out of the state. 

Tasmania

You can travel anywhere you need to within the state.

Tasmania was the first state in Australia to close its borders and all non-essential visitors must quarantine upon arrival.

South Australia 

Travel within the state has opened up however some remote communities have chosen to enforce their own borders.

Anyone visiting these communities must quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. 

Anyone entering the state must quarantine as well. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk