Australia's borders won't reopen until 2021: Qantas cancels international flights until October

Australia's tourism minister says the country's borders might not open until 2021 - but New Zealand may still get a look in earlier. On Wednesday, Senator Simon Birmingham said "in terms of open tourist-related travel in or out of Australia, that remains quite some distance off". Asked whether that was more likely to resume next year, he said " I think that is more likely the case". Birmingham said opening up a less restrictive arrangement with other countries would happen "very slowly and very carefully". On Thursday, Qantas said it had cancelled most of its international flights until late October, except for services to New Zealand. Qantas signalled flights could resume if travel between Australia and other countries opened up. "With Australia's borders set to remain closed for some time, we have cancelled most international flights until late October," a Qantas spokesperson said Thursday."<br/>