Air New Zealand has confirmed the scheduled restart of 24 international routes across the Tasman and various long-haul destinations, beginning at the end of February.
After two long years, we’re about see the iconic black and white fleet of aircraft and Koru symbol tails back in the air again and flying all over the globe.
The national carrier’s rebooted flight schedule aligns with New Zealand beginning a phased reopening to the world, starting with Austrlian based Kiwis being allowed to return from February 28 who will be allowed to sidestep mandatory hotel quarantine (MIQ), and instead self-isolate on arrival.
Two weeks later, from March 13, Kiwis from further abroad will also be able to enter New Zealand, as will skilled workers and working holiday visa holders.
At first, all arrivals will need to self-isolate for 10 days, but once New Zealand moves to “phase two” of the Omicron outbreak that period will drop to 7 days, meaning returning Kiwis will be treated the same way close contacts within New Zealand now.
By no later than July, all Australians will be able to enter – subject to the same self-isolation requirements of 7-days. Though whether this will be the case by this point remains to be seen. Hopefully this measure won’t be needed by then.
“There is a high likelihood of this date coming forward as we progress through the next stage of the pandemic”, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing the changes recently.
Finally, by October, the government has pledged borders will “fully reopen to visitors from anywhere in the world, and all visa categories fully reopen”.
Here’s the proposed new schedule from Air New Zealand with March 27 signalling the first flight back from Auckland to Singapore.
Routes restarting from February – April 2022
- February 28: Christchurch to Brisbane, initially three-weekly flights
- March 1: Christchurch to Sydney, three-weekly
- March 2: Auckland-Gold Coast, three-weekly
- March 27: Auckland-Singapore, three-weekly
- March 31: from Brisbane-Wellington (April 1 to Brisbane), three-weekly
- April 4: Wellington-Melbourne, twice-weekly
- April 5: Wellington-Sydney, three-weekly
- April 14: Auckland-San Francisco, three-weekly
Routes restarting from May to September 2022
- June 24: Queenstown-Melbourne, initially four-weekly
- June 25: Queenstown-Sydney, once-daily
- July 2: Christchurch-Melbourne, once-daily
- July 3: Christchurch-Gold Coast, four-weekly
- July 4: Auckland-Honolulu, once-daily
- July 5: Auckland-Cairns, three-weekly
- July 5: Christchurch-Nadi, three-weekly
- July 5: Wellington-Nadi, three-weekly
- July 6: Auckland-Adelaide, three-weekly
- July 6: Auckland-Nouméa, twice-weekly
- July 6: Auckland-Papeete, twice-weekly
- July 7: Auckland-Hobart, twice-weekly
- July 7: Auckland-Houston, three-weekly
- July 9: Auckland-Sunshine Coast, twice-weekly
- September 30: Auckland-Chicago, three-weekly
The scheduled new long-haul routes will operate alongside flights to Tokyo, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Taipei, Seoul and Shanghai – which are already in service.
Find out mnore at www.airnewzealand.co.nz
