Qantas Group CEO reports plan for resumption of international operations

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce stated (26-Aug-2021) based on Australia's plan for re-opening, the carrier has "reshaped our own assumptions about restarting international flights". Mr Joyce added: "The current pace of the vaccine rollout means all Australian states are on track to reach the 80 per cent target by December - which is the trigger for starting to carefully open to some parts of the world", with the carrier having "a lot of work that has to begin now". Mr Joyce said pending government decisions, the group plans for services to countries with high vaccination rates "to resume from mid-Dec-2021 onwards - that includes Singapore, Japan, the US, the UK and hopefully New Zealand". Services to areas with lower vaccination rates are expected to commence from Apr-2022 "at the earliest", to destinations including Bali, Jakarta, Manila and Johannesburg. Mr Joyce added: "One of the biggest unknowns is the quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering Australia… Like many elements of this plan, it relies on decisions by the Australian Government". [more - original PR]