Air NZ saw 17,000 bookings within one day of new travel announcement

Air New Zealand received over 17,000 bookings for international flights within one day of the New Zealand government announcing new rules for international travel. Last week, it was announced that fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens will be able to travel to Australia and return home without entering a two-week quarantine from 16 January and return from anywhere else in the world from 13 February. The New Zealand government has also said fully vaccinated foreign travellers will be welcome from 30 April. Under the new rules, all travellers will be required to take a COVID test on arrival and self-isolate for seven days before entering the community. Pre-flight testing will also be required prior to departing. According to a report by the NZ Herald, within one day of the announcement, Air New Zealand had already accepted 17,000 new bookings for overseas travel, and noted particular demand for trans-Tasman services. Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said she was “absolutely delighted” by the reopening announcement, and the strong demand seen for overseas flights. “We’ve been waiting for such a long period of time for the certainty that was given, albeit we appreciate there are some requirements, but on the whole we’re incredibly excited with the fact that we can get Kiwis moving again,” she said.<br/>