'We're expecting 200 on the first flight': Kiwis set to flood Australia this weekend as travel bubble with New Zealand finally begins - but there's a huge catch that's turning more off visiting
At least 200 New Zealanders are expected to fly into Australia this weekend as the travel bubble between the two countries finally kicks off.
New Zealanders will be able to travel to New South Wales and the Northern Territory from Friday under the bubble, which won't require them to go into hotel quarantine.
But the deal is one-way arrangement, meaning Kiwis returning home still need to do their 14-day mandatory isolation in secure hotels at a cost of $2,050.
Australian tourists are still not allowed to travel to New Zealand.
At least 200 New Zealanders are expected to fly into Australia this weekend as the travel bubble between the two countries finally kicks off (pictured, passengers at Sydney airport)
New Zealanders will be able to travel to New South Wales and the Northern Territory from Friday under the bubble recently announced by the Australian government
Sydney Airport chief executive officer Geoff Culbert told the AFR Natioanal Infrastructure Summit there will be an influx of people arriving by the end of the week.
'We're expecting 200 passengers on the first flight from New Zealand,' he said, according to the NZ Herald.
'We haven't welcomed international travellers to Sydney in months that haven't had to come through customs and go straight on to buses to hotel ,' he said.
Mr Culbert acknowledged that there had been limitations in the trans-Tasman bubble, but said it was a first step in the 'phased approach'.
The first phase is going to provide a vital 'proof of concept' for further destinations and travel, he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Kiwis are 'very, very welcome' to spend money and time in both NSW and the Northern Territory.
New Zealanders will be able to travel to Sydney's Bondi Beach as the one-way travel bubble opens up
Australian tourists are still not allowed to travel to New Zealand. Pictured: A woman at Sydney Airport
Mr Culbert said the next countries that could see mandatory quarantine dropped include Singapore, South Korea and Japan.
'These are places that have done a good job (during the pandemic) and we have confidence in their health systems,' he said.
Mr Morrison confirmed Australia was in discussion with the three nations, as well as the South Pacific, to open up travel.
'There are countries that have performed well on the health front and Australia and those countries are one of a handful that has had the same level of success,' he said.
But the catch is that it's only a one-way arrangement, meaning Kiwis returning home still need to do their 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine. (Passengers at Auckland airport)
'But we have to go cautiously on this; very, very cautiously. COVID-19 hasn't gone anywhere, it's still there – it's no less aggressive today than it was six months ago. We need to keep the habit of COVID-safe behaviours.'
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack earlier this month said South Australia would be the next location on offer for New Zealanders.
'The opportunity is there and there are plenty of tourism operators in Western Australia wanting business,' he said.
'We want to open up Australia to the world. This is the first part of it.'