Update - managed return flights from New South Wales to New Zealand

Update - managed return flights from New South Wales to New Zealand
Further to the Airnotes sent this morning, managed return flights from Sydney to Auckland and Christchurch are currently sold out and waitlists are closed - due to high demand.

If you have customers who are currently in New South Wales wishing to return home, please book the next available date in the GDS. We will continue to update you as we receive more guidance on MIQ allocations or flight updates.

If you have a customer wishing to apply for a compassionate ticket based on urgent or exceptional circumstances, they will need to contact the Government on +64 4 439 8235 or NSW2NZ@mfat.govt.nz.

Quarantine-free travel from Queensland to New Zealand to resume
The New Zealand Government has announced that the pause on quarantine-free travel from Queensland to New Zealand will lift at 11.59pm (NZT) tonight, 12 July 2021.

Please note, a negative PCR or RT-PCR pre-departure test is required to enter New Zealand for travellers who have been in Australia for more than 72 hours.

See below for more information regarding the pre-departure test:

• The pre-departure test is only required if the passenger has been in Australia for more than 72 hours.
• The COVID-19 sample needs to be taken and the result returned within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of the first international departure.
• Children under 2 years of age (24 months) do not need to take a pre-departure test.
• COVID-19 testing and result certificates for travel clearance are provided by private pathology clinics. A list of locations in Australia can be found here.
• If a passenger cannot take a test due to medical reasons, they will need to see a medical practitioner within 72 hours of departure and provide a medical certificate at the airport to state that they are unable to take a test and that they do not show any COVID-19 symptoms.

Please visit the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 website for the most up to date information.

Amendment to the International Flexibility Policy
We wish to advise of the following amendment to the International Flexibility Policy:

• Customers travelling from New South Wales to New Zealand that are required to enter a Managed Isolation Facility (MIQ) are permitted to make one additional change to their domestic New Zealand flight. This is for rebooking up to four weeks from their arrival date into New Zealand. No additional collection applies. Please book the same or the next best available booking class.

The Customer Flexibility Guide has been updated