Qantas upholds vaccine requirement despite government change

Melbourne, Australia - April 29, 2018: People waiting for departure in airport terminal.

Qantas will maintain the rule requiring international arrivals to be vaccinated against COVID despite the government’s move to end the vaccination requirement.

From 12:01am tomorrow morning, people will be able to enter Australia without having to declare their vaccination status.

The change also means that overseas arrivals will no longer have to complete a digital passenger declaration (DPD) form.

The Australian reported that a Qantas spokeswoman indicated they had no immediate plans to relax the vaccination requirement for international arrivals.

The flying kangaroo imposed a vaccine mandate for its employees last year, but it’s facing a court challenge from several staff, some of whom were sacked for refusing to get vaccinated.

However, some in the travel have welcomed the rule change.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the changes would have a two-pronged impact.

“This removes another hurdle for international travellers as they weigh up which country to visit,” de Graaff said.

“Australia is competing for every tourist dollar, and for thousands of potential visitors, this will make us a more attractive destination.”

Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) CEO Dean Long said the update would speed up processing times for airports amid massive travel demand both domestically and internationally.

“These final steps in returning travel to normal could not come at a better time,” Long said.

“With school holidays underway or about to kick off in many states and territories, and a rapidly growing number of Australians keen to escape the Australian winter, the pressure on our airports and airport staff is huge.

“Removing these last requirements will help reduce delays in airports and make it easier for Australians coming back home.

“Australia’s travel professionals look forward to continuing to work with the Federal Government on the practicalities of the DPD as we move towards it replacing the paper-based incoming passenger card.

“The current digital approach had multiple issues which meant it wasn’t working for any of the participants and AFTA has been pushing hard on the need to take a step back and get it right.”

Overseas airlines flying to Australia were being briefed on the changes by the Federal Government.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]