Qantas eyes July restart for international flights as vaccine rule looms
Qantas outlines July 2021 international flight resumption plans, with CEO Alan Joyce confirming vaccines will become mandatory for most routes as Australia reopens borders.
Following an operating loss of 91% compared with the previous year, Australian carrier Qantas has outlined a high-probability pathway to restoring international services in July 2021, with tickets expected to go on sale this summer.
CEO Alan Joyce described the past 12 months as the toughest period for airlines in a century.
The airline’s leader confirmed that Covid-19 vaccination would become compulsory on most international routes, telling reporters: “For key long-haul destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom—the high virus prevalence there means vaccination will be required to travel. But as vaccine confidence grows, these operations could fully restart by the end of 2021. …Vaccination would therefore be mandatory on all Qantas international flights, subject to limited exemptions.”
A government spokesperson later confirmed Canberra’s intention to reopen borders to international traffic as soon as domestic health conditions permit.
Qantas Airways is Australia’s flagship carrier and a globally recognized brand. Founded in 1920, it ranks as the world’s third-oldest continuously operating airline after KLM and Avianca.
Qantas routinely ranks among the world’s safest airlines, with a flawless safety record and a reputation for premium service and punctual departures. It is also Australia’s largest carrier by fleet size, international destinations served and annual passenger numbers, securing its place as the planet’s second-oldest international airline.