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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
Flights between Tasmania and New Zealand could resume next year under a new agreement to be announced by Australia’s prime minister on Saturday.
QANTAS
Flights between Tasmania and New Zealand could resume next year.
Scott Morrison, in Tasmania for the Liberal Party’s annual conference, will unveil plans for 130 direct flights between Hobart and New Zealand per year.
That works out to three flights a week in warmer months and two flights a week in winter.
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It is unclear whether an international carrier will follow the route.
The Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police will have to be stationed at Hobart International Airport to allow the flights, but it appears to be on the basis of inbound and outbound flights.
“While we keep our borders secure, the 30 additional officers coming in and out means more investment for local businesses,” said Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.
Brook Mitchell / Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will unveil plans for 130 direct flights between Hobart and New Zealand.
The plan will cost the federal government A $ 50 million (NZ $ 53 million), already accounted for in the Hobart city agreement, while the state government will contribute A $ 10 million (NZ $ 10.72 million). ) for infrastructure improvements.
Hobart Airport management had requested AU $ 15 million (NZ $ 16 million) from the state government for accommodation for border force personnel and improvements to the departure gate and baggage handling facilities.
“This has been an incredibly difficult year for Australians, and particularly for our tourism and hospitality sectors, but the agreement will mean that tourists from low-risk areas can come and sample Tasmania’s incredible experiences, sights and products.” Morrison said.
More quarantine space
The Australian and Tasmanian governments also agreed to provide an additional 450 spaces in quarantine facilities at Hobart hotels to help more Australians return home from abroad.
Morrison said the additional capacity was in addition to the 6,315 weekly quarantine slots currently agreed upon by states and territories.
“We are working through all the options to help so many Australians go home as quickly as possible,” the prime minister said.
The flights to New Zealand, expected to begin in January next year and with a scheduled overhaul within 12 months, will be the first between Tasmania and New Zealand in more than 20 years.
The route was canned by Air New Zealand in 1996 and has since been debated but not followed due to concerns about its feasibility.
Regional Tourism Minister Jonathon Duniam said the resumption of the route would give Tasmania “the opportunity to show that one island is better than two.”
“This is the injection into the arm that Tasmanian tour operators desperately need as they begin to rebuild an industry that is stronger than ever,” he said.
Documents released by Hobart Airport to MPs earlier this year estimated that international flights to the Tasmanian capital would increase tourism spending by up to $ A120 million (NZ $ 128.6 million) per year, but that was earlier. the coronavirus arrived.
ISTOCK
The flights to New Zealand, which are expected to start in January 2021, will be the first between Tasmania and New Zealand in more than 20 years.
Direct route a ‘wonderful’ opportunity
Christian Bell used to travel frequently between Tasmania and New Zealand for work when international flights were last available between the two islands.
Although the direct route has been inactive for decades, he believes there will be rapid acceptance of the flights.
“Twenty years ago, flights were crowded and the population has grown in Tasmania,” he said.
“Tasmania has become a much more attractive destination to visit, it would easily pay for itself.”
Bell, who now runs a Facebook page dedicated to improving relations between the islands, said there were myriad reasons for New Zealanders to cross Tasmania.
“There are similarities between the two islands, but there are uniquely different things that make Tasmania different from New Zealand,” he said.
“They would be absolutely in love with the marsupials we have in Tasmania and things like the Tasmanian Devil … we have such an extensive range of fauna on the island.
“People are eager to get to Tasmania and people are eager to get to New Zealand, and a direct route would be absolutely wonderful.”
Bell said there was a prominent New Zealand resident who expected him to trip over the ditch when flights became available.
“It would be nice to have the first visit of a New Zealand prime minister to Tasmania, because a sitting New Zealand prime minister has never visited Tasmania,” he said.
“We would love to see Jacinda Ardern visit Tasmania.”
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and is being republished with permission.
