Qantas ramps up NZ network, returms to Queenstown

Qantas has reinstated four routes to New Zealand to keep up with growing passenger demand, ahead of the country’s busy winter ski season. It comes after New Zealand reopened its international borders to Australian citizens on 12 April, and later similarly eased entry restrictions to tourists from dozens of visa-waiver countries on 1 May, scrapping quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals. On Monday, Qantas resumed flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Wellington, as well as its Sydney-Queenstown and Melbourne-Christchurch services. Meanwhile, its Brisbane-Christchurch service will resume on Tuesday, 24 May. The airline noted that all newly reinstated flights into New Zealand from Australia on Monday were at full capacity, highlighting the current demand for trans-Tasman travel. Meanwhile, Flight QF121 from Sydney to Queenstown marked the first international flight to arrive at the airport in 330 days and was met with a water salute.<br/>