The nine-week ACT lockdown has grounded many travel plans – but Canberra Airport staff say life will be on the up again by the end of the year. And it’s not just blue-sky thinking.
Current passenger volumes may be at their lowest point since August 2020, said Michael Thomson, Head of Aviation, but he is confident travel will significantly increase in the lead-up to Christmas.
“We know how quickly airlines will respond with each border reopening,” he said.
“Before lockdown 2.0, we were connected to more destinations and had more airline partners than ever before.”
The ACT had direct flights to every capital city, including Darwin and Hobart, for the first time, and new routes to regional centres like the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, and Port Macquarie. In May, Chief Minister Andrew Barr visited New Zealand to negotiate direct trans-Tasman flights to Wellington and Auckland, which at that time he expected would begin by spring.
“We saw some great passenger numbers to new destinations such as Hobart and Darwin, and we believe this will continue once borders are open,” Mr Thomson said. “Everyone is looking to make up for lost time and reward themselves with a trip away or visit friends and family.”
Canberra Airport has mandated vaccination for all staff in preparation for aviation restarting domestically. All second doses will be complete before 15 October, Mr Thomson said.
“This date coincides with the ACT Government’s 80 per cent double dosed vaccination target – so that is when we hope to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Mandatory vaccination was in line with many of the airport’s partners, Mr Thomson said. On Monday, Rex said all its frontline, customer-facing staff would be fully vaccinated by 1 November, making it the first Australian airline to do so; this included check-in staff, pilots, and cabin crew.
The airport is also home to the ACT Government’s mass vaccination clinic, an integral part of their vaccination program. More than 51,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine have been administered there since it opened on 29 June.
Mr Thomson encouraged Canberrans to plan their next holidays now.
“Start planning and book with confidence,” Mr Thomson said. “Our lead time for booking travel has significantly reduced, but airlines are offering flexibility should border restrictions or closures occur, so people should book with confidence.”
Canberra Airport’s preparations come as Australia’s major international airports stand ready for the return of international travel, but Australian Airports Association chief executive James Goodwin warned it is “not as simple as just opening the border”.
“There will be major complexities involved but airports stand ready to ensure the operational environment, policy settings and logistics are right so overseas travel can continue to be safe and secure for all passengers and staff,” he said.
The Australian Aviation Ground Handlers Industry Alliance (AAGHIA) warns planes could remain grounded this Christmas because thousands of critical aviation ground operation workers continue to be excluded from government support.
The country’s almost 10,000 specialist ground staff believe they are being short-changed when it comes to government assistance, and fear hundreds of planes could still be grounded come Christmas.
AAGHIA chair Glen Rutherford said ground staff do not get the $750 a week support package announced in August that went to airline and airport workers.
“All we ask is for our 9,800 specialist ground handlers to receive the same treatment as the rest of the aviation industry,” Mr Rutherford said.
“We are already seeing a large proportion of our workforce pursuing other more financially secure work to get food on the table for their families.”
Mr Rutherford warned it will take at least six months to recruit workers when borders reopen, train them up and have them accredited by the government.
With AAP
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