BNE Welcomes First Safe Travel Zone Flight from New Zealand

Brisbane Airport Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gert-Jan de Graaff, welcomes the first 'safe travel zone' flight between New Zealand and Queensland. 
 
A 'safe travel zone flight', also known as a 'quarantine-free' flight, means passengers do not need to hotel quarantine for fourteen days on arrival. 
 
Mr de Graaff said this first 'safe travel zone' flight from one of Queensland's largest travel markets is an important step to re-establishing international aviation activity. 
 
"It is important to recognise the efforts of the State and Federal governments, relevant agencies, Air New Zealand and the Brisbane Airport team for making this flight happen."   
 
"While only a one-way 'bubble', we nonetheless expect these flights will bring families back together and support economic activity between New Zealand and our state," Mr de Graaff said. "We look forward to the resumption of two-way travel between our countries soon and will work closely with all relevant bodies to ensure we are ready to go when that happens. 
 
"As the result of Queensland's outstanding management of COVID-19, I am very confident that these safe travel zone flights between Queensland and New Zealand will be a success and provide a blueprint for similar arrangements with other countries in the future." 
 
In 2019, around 1.5 million passengers flew between BNE and New Zealand with more than 100 flights per week. Future Air New Zealand safe travel zone flights are planned to take place on Saturday 9th January (NZ145), Monday 11th January (NZ149), Wednesday 13th January (NZ149) and Saturday 17th January (NZ145).  These flights are subject to change.