The head of Australia’s biggest airport has said when he expects international borders to reopen and which destinations people will first start flying to.

And it could be sooner than expected.

Speaking at the AFR National Infrastructure Summit today, Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Geoff Culbert said the transport hub’s staff were excited about welcoming the first planeload of passengers on Friday arriving as part of the new Australia-New Zealand air bridge.

“We’re expecting 200 passengers on the first flight from New Zealand.

“We haven’t welcomed international travellers to Sydney in months that haven’t had to come through customs and go straight on to buses to hotel (quarantine).”

Mr Culbert acknowledged the limitations in the trans-Tasman link, chiefly that it is only one way and even passengers from New Zealand would have to quarantine once back home.

However, he said the air bridge was the first part of a “phased approach” to international travel during the coronavirus pandemic and it would provide a vital “proof of concept” for further destinations.

SOONER THAN EXPECTED
New Zealand aside, Mr Culbert nominated Singapore, South Korea and Japan as the next nations that could see the need for mandatory quarantine dropped.

“These are places that have done a good job (during the pandemic) and we have confidence in their health systems.”

Mr Culbert also said they were nations where Australia could be confident in “reciprocal processes” to travellers.

However, in contrast to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s gloomy comments in last week’s Budget that borders might not open until late 2021, the Sydney Airport chief had a slightly rosier outlook.Mr Culbert told the summit he believed Australia could be ready to see regular travel to and from Singapore, South Korea and Japan by as early as the “first half of next year”.

However, in contrast to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s gloomy comments in last week’s Budget that borders might not open until late 2021, the Sydney Airport chief had a slightly rosier outlook.Mr Culbert told the summit he believed Australia could be ready to see regular travel to and from Singapore, South Korea and Japan by as early as the “first half of next year”.

That timeline relied on a number of factors, including a vaccine. However, Mr Culbert said a vaccine combined with rapid testing and other therapeutic drugs could be enough to allow international travel to reopen to a degree.

 Holiday-makers will also have to fork out an extra $3000 for their two week hotel quarantine upon re-entry to Australia.

Sydney Airport’s Mr Culbert also said the gradual reopening of interstate borders was increasing demand for travel – but to nowhere near previous levels.

Before South Australia and the Northern Territory opened their borders with New South Wales, the airport was operating at just three per cent capacity.

Sydney Airport is now at seven per cent capacity.

If Queensland does go ahead with relaxing restrictions for all of New South Wales – which may be up in the air due to the recent Sydney outbreak – Mr Culbert said that would see the airport back to 17 per cent full.