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Deputy Prime Minister Slaps Down Qantas' Hopes Of International Travel By July

Deputy Prime Minister Slaps Down Qantas' Hopes Of International Travel By July

Don't dust off that bag just yet...

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Everyone got very excited about an overseas holiday after Qantas revealed it was selling flights to faraway destinations from July.

You could book a seat on a plane going to the US, UK and parts of Asia from the beginning of the month and loads of people started packing their bags.

However, there's just one issue.

Australia's borders are still closed and you have to have a pretty decent reason to leave the country. Sadly, 'I just need a break' isn't one of them.

As a result, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has poured cold water on Qantas' plans for now.

"The health and safety of Australians remains the Morrison-McCormack government's top priority," the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said.

"International borders will be opened when international arrivals do not pose a risk to Australians.

"Decisions about when international travel resumes will be made by the Australian government.

PA

"The Australian government is working on travel arrangements with countries, such as New Zealand, that have low community infections.

"Operations and ticket sales on particular routes are commercial decisions for airlines."

The flights to the UK and US weren't cheap either, with a Sydney to London leg costing an eye watering $3,400 and Sydney to New York being $2,000.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce said travel to the UK and US would only be able to happen once a suitable vaccine had been made and distributed to enough of the population.

"For some of our big destination like the United States and the UK, it's going to need a vaccine given the high prevalence of the virus in both of those locations," Mr Joyce said at the company's annual general meeting in October.

"But we are getting more and more confident about the opportunities and the potential for a vaccine in helping getting those operations up potentially by the end of 2021."

One thing is for sure: if you want to travel on Qantas, you'll need to have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Considering the Covid-19 vaccine isn't due to be rolled out until March, it will be pretty surprising if Aussies will be able to be travel from July.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia