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NSW lockdown: Air New Zealand to bring stranded Kiwis home

New Zealanders who have been stuck in New South Wales will today have the chance to book a flight home, thanks to Air New Zealand and its managed return flights from Sydney.

New Zealanders who have been stuck in New South Wales will today have the chance to book a flight home, thanks to Air New Zealand and its managed return flights from Sydney.

As New South Wales enters week three of lockdown, bookings are now open on available Air New Zealand managed return flights, scheduled to start tomorrow, Tuesday 13 July, and rescue stranded Kiwis from the state.

If you’re a New Zealander who’d like to nab yourself a ticket, you’ll have to do it ASAP, as the seats will be restricted to the number of spaces available in managed isolation facilities (MIQ) rooms provided by the New Zealand Government.

Managed return flights from Sydney will be available from Tuesday 13 July and will operate to Auckland and Christchurch only.

On arrival in New Zealand, travellers will have to go into MIQ.

Lockdown Auckland

Eligible Air New Zealand customers in NSW are encouraged to follow the steps below:

For a standard booking:

  • Check Air New Zealand’s website to book managed return seats
  • Once customers have secured a flight booking, their MIQ space is automatically confirmed. There is no need to book a place in a managed isolation facility before booking with Air New Zealand as managed isolation bookings are automatically assigned to a customer’s flight
  • If unsuccessful, keep checking back online for available flights
  • As more MIQ allocations are provided, more corresponding seats will be made available for booking
  • Stay updated on the latest travel requirements via the COVID-19 website before attempting to book travel.

For compassionate consideration:

  • The New Zealand Government is managing compassionate requests for returning travellers
  • If customers wish to apply for a compassionate ticket on the basis of urgent and exceptional circumstances, they will need to contact the Government directly on +64 4 439 8235 or NSW2NZ@mfat.govt.nz.
Trans-Tasman
Image: Auckland Airport

Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said that while the airline is doing all it can to facilitate the return of Kiwis home from NSW, not everyone will be able to travel immediately.

“We would love to be able to bring more Kiwis home to their families, but we’re limited by the availability of MIQ spots. Only between 40-60 seats per flight will be available to be booked by customers as these are directly linked to MIQ spots.

“Flights will be available on a first in, first served basis. Around 20% of all available MIQ spots will be reserved for compassionate grounds which will be managed by the Government.

“Our teams have worked tirelessly with the Government over the weekend to get these managed return flights up and running so we can reconnect Kiwis with their loved ones. We recognise this is a very stressful and emotional time for those customers wishing to return from NSW, and we’re doing everything we can to get them home as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Air New Zealand’s schedule up until 23 July is as follows:

Flight Date Departure Time Arriving
NZ0864 13 July 20201 14.25 Auckland
NZ0870 13 July 2021 11.55 Christchurch
NZ0864 14 July 2021 12.25 Auckland
NZ0864 15 July 2021 14.55 Auckland
NZ0864 16 July 2021 12.40 Auckland
NZ0864 17 July 2021 14.25 Auckland
NZ0864 18 July 2021 12.25 Auckland
NZ0864 20 July 2021 14.25 Auckland
NZ0870 23 July 2021 11.55 Christchurch

Click here for more information.

UPDATE 13 July: Air New Zealand has confirmed managed return flights from Sydney to Auckland and Christchurch are now sold out and waitlists are closed – due to high demand.