Australians are free to travel to New Zealand with no mandatory quarantine from 11.59pm 18 April.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement today, despite the fact that Australia’s border has been open to New Zealanders since October.
Air New Zealand increased its schedule of flights from Monday, 19 April, with 23 return services between Auckland and Sydney as opposed to the four return flights currently available.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the airline was looking forward to re-entering the trans-Tasman market later this year, after September.
At the moment, the decision on an need for pre-departure testing has yet to be discussed. She said she spoke with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk regarding the bubble, and also said “dates are being discussed” regarding a visit to New Zealand by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
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“I’ll be looking to use the opportunity to take prime minister Morrison to an area that has previously enjoyed high levels of international visitors that we’ll want to put back on the world stage,” she said.
Ms Ardern said there were no conversations about the possibility of a bubble with Singapore and Australia.