ATW Daily News

Australia, New Zealand near common air travel border

Tuesday August 18, 2009

Australia and New Zealand are expected to move toward common air travel borders this week, cutting red tape and airfares.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Keys and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd are expected to announce Thursday the streamlining of arrivals and departures that may see transtasman flights operating from domestic terminals and elimination of departure taxes and duplication of quarantine, customs and security checks.

The changes are expected to boost tourism between the two countries, which already see approximately 1 million visitors cross the Tasman each year in both directions. Under the proposals, passengers leaving Australia for New Zealand would not pay the A$47 ($39.10) passenger movement charge and the countries would recognize each other's security, immigration and quarantine checks in a similar way to members of the EU.

Jetstar Airways CEO Bruce Buchanan said previously that common border arrangements could reduce fares by at least 30% on services from the east coast of Australia to New Zealand, where taxes and charges make up a large part of the fare. Tourism Australia, however, suggests a 20% reduction is more likely.

ATWOnline understands that passports still will be required and passengers will make a one-stop customs and immigration check at the departing airport in a similar way to the US/Canada arrangement implemented six years ago.

by Geoffrey Thomas

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