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Airlines applaud Singapore-Australia double bubble
November 1st 2021
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have applauded an announcement that Australia will extend quarantine-free travel to visitors from Singapore later this month. Read More » Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, said overnight Australia intends to allow quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated Singaporean tourists, workers and students from November 21. Already, Singapore has announced Australians can visit the island state using its quarantine-free Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) from November 8. Morrison’s announcement was welcomed by SIA and IATA as another step towards a “new normal”. “Australia’s opening for quarantine-free travel to Singapore citizens, regardless of purpose of travel, sends a loud and clear message Australia is pressing ahead with plans to reopen its borders,’’ IATA regional vice president for Asia-Pacific, Philip Goh, said. “We are excited by this positive development and look forward to further easing of border restrictions by Australia and other countries in the region. It will provide the needed boost for the recovery of the aviation industry and air travel sectors.” SIA operated the first two uncapped flights to arrive in Sydney and Melbourne and SQ212 was the first international flight to depart Sydney under the new regime. SIA regional vice president, Louis Arul, said SIA looked forward the start next week of the VTL between Australia and Singapore and the November 21 start of the two-way travel bubble. “This timely announcement will let loved ones in both countries reunite during the holiday season and provide travellers with many more holiday options,’’ Arul said. “It also will support Australia’s economic recovery with the return of international students from Singapore and other important economic visa holders.”
